Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

This is a decidedly raw and unflinching film, irreverent and sadistic in its approach, depicting what it means to concentrate absolute power in the hands of a single man, especially one who is eccentric and capricious. It is full of lust and exposes the farce of an emperor at the head of a virtually non-existent, purely symbolic republic. Privilege, its preservation and selfishness, rather than concern for the state, drive political action. I found everything utterly captivating, from the performances to the cinematography and production design. This film reminded me why it’s crucial to live in a democratic state governed by a strict constitution, otherwise, one risks ending up decapitated by a massive stage machine… The movie is bold and unapologetic, refusing to shy away from aspects of reality that are too often censored in mainstream cinema. Long live the “pornotopia”, I loved how it used the concept of a sexually charged fictional world to illustrate and communicate the decadence of Rome and the pervasive vices of a mad, eccentric power.