Inmates at a prison in Rome rehearse for a performance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
Acting
Non-professional inmates delivering lines that eerily mirror their crimes
Direction
Taviani brothers blur documentary and drama until you can't tell which is which
Writing
Shakespeare's text weaponized — ancient words become personal confessions
Director
Paolo Taviani
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Salvatore Striano (Bruto) was actually paroled after the film's success and became a professional actor — art literally freed him.
The Taviani brothers shot in black-and-white for rehearsal scenes, color for 'performances' — except the final prison return, which bleeds back to monochrome. Freedom was always the illusion.
IT
