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Sebastiane 18 rating

A distinctly bold and sensual reclaiming of gay history, Jarman here tells the sexually intense story of the 4th-century martyr.

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1976 85 mins

Director: Derek Jarman and Paul Humfress

Overview

Jarman’s first feature, directed with Paul Humfress, presents the controversial, sensual, sexualised story of the 4th century Praetorian Guard whose human goodness leads to humiliation and martyrdom. The heat of the Sardinian desert is powerfully captured on film – both cast and crew go through their paces, sweating it out Herzog-style - while Brian Eno’s distinctly moving score beautifully complements the superb framing and stunning slow-motion photography. A glorious hymn to the very real, living, breathing, male body. Presented here in a new digital version remastered from the original camera negative by the BFI National Archive.