Watch Caesar Must Die

In the 2012 Italian film Caesar Must Die, directors Paolo and Vittorio Taviani bring Shakespeare's famous play Julius Caesar to life in a unique way. The directors cast inmates from a high-security prison in Rome to portray the characters in the play, blurring the line between reality and fiction. The film follows the rehearsals and final performance of Julius Caesar by a group of inmates, all of whom are serving long sentences for serious crimes. The prisoners are given the opportunity to participate in a theatre program organized by a group of professionals from the outside, including the Taviani brothers, who provide guidance and support to the inmates as they learn their lines and develop their characters.

The film opens with the inmates lining up for the audition, all vying for the opportunity to be a part of the play. The cast is eventually chosen, with Cosimo Rega playing Brutus, Salvatore Striano as Caesar, and Giovanni Arcuri as Cassius. As the rehearsals progress, the prisoners begin to identify with their characters, drawing parallels between their own lives and the struggles that Shakespeare's characters faced.

Throughout the film, we see the inmates grappling with their lines, practicing their scenes, and working on their character development. The film often cuts between the inmates rehearsing in the prison and the actors performing on a stage in front of a live audience. In doing so, the Tavianis create a powerful contrast between the confined space of the prison and the freedom of the stage, highlighting the transformative power of art.

The film is shot in black and white, adding a sense of grittiness and rawness to the story. The stark lighting and minimal set design create a sense of claustrophobia, emphasizing the inmates' confinement and the intensity of their situation.

As the rehearsal process unfolds, we see the prisoners undergo a transformation. They begin to identify with their characters and use the play to explore their own emotions and experiences. The film's most moving scene sees Striano, who plays Caesar, reciting his character's famous lines about being unafraid of death as tears stream down his face. The scene is a powerful testament to the emotional depth and intensity that the inmates bring to their roles.

The final performance of Julius Caesar is shown in full, with the actors performing in front of a live audience of other inmates, their families, and various dignitaries. The performance is a moving testament to the power of art to transform lives and to bring people together.

Overall, Caesar Must Die is a powerful and moving film that explores the transformative power of art. The Taviani brothers have created a unique and compelling experience, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and challenging our assumptions about prisoners and the arts. The film is a testament to the humanity and creativity of the inmates involved, and an inspiration to anyone who believes in the power of art to transform lives.

Caesar Must Die is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 77.