First trailer for Robert Schwentke's Berlinale title 'Seneca' starring ... - Moving Image Middle East

Robert Schwentke's years of research into Roman history – and an exciting collaboration with John Malkovich – has created a unique work in Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes, a surprising film in content and style that resonates with contemporary politics. Schwentke surrounds the great master with a new generation of talented German actors (Louis Hofmann, Alexander Fehling, Lilith Stangenberg, Tom Xander) as well as the wonderful Geraldine Chaplin and the handsome Julian Sands. You can read an interview with Sands conducted by Nina during the pandemic.

The film was shot in Morocco and will premiere this coming February in Berlin, in the Berlinale Special section of the film festival.

About it, the filmmaker said: "Seneca is a bit like Chekhov's Platonov, suicidally jumping off a cliff and landing in a puddle. But it is also somewhat like Bunuel's dinner parties that never end. The tonality of the film is excessive and tragically funny."

Historically, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was born in present-day Spain. He arrived in Rome at a young age, where he was trained in all fields of philosophy and science. After completing his education, he entered political life and later held high offices. Seneca was a popular writer and advocate of stoic philosophy, whose principles included self-control and serenity. Although he preached renunciation and restraint in his writing, he was one of the richest and most powerful men of the time. He received grants from Emperor Nero, which accounted for some of the wealth but also unscrupulously exploited Rome's provinces.

His ending was befitting of such a figure, with him falling from Nero's graces eventually, and killing himself at the Emperor's orders.

Berlin-based sales company Picture Tree Intl. is handling the film in Berlin and Seneca will be released in German cinemas in March, 2023.

Photo by © Filmgalerie 451, used with permission of the Berlinale.