Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes (German: Seneca – Oder: Über die Geburt von Erdbeben) is a 2023 German-Moroccan historical drama dark comedy film directed by Robert Schwentke, starring John Malkovich as Seneca.[1] The film is about the last days of the ancient philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca and the beginnings of Emperor Nero's despotic regime in Ancient Rome.[2]

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes
Official poster
Directed byRobert Schwentke
Screenplay by
  • Robert Schwentke
  • Matthew Wilder
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBenoit Debie
Edited byMichał Czarnecki
Music byMartin Todsharow
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Weltkino Film distribution GmbH
  • Picture Tree
Release dates
  • 20 February 2023 (2023-02-20) (Berlinale)
  • 23 March 2023 (2023-03-23) (Germany)
Running time
112 minutes
Countries
  • Germany
  • Morocco
LanguagesEnglish
German

The film marks Julian Sands' final role, being released following his disappearance in San Gabriel Mountains in January 2023 and prior to the discovery of his body.

The movie was selected at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Berlinale Special Gala, where it had its world premiere on 20 February 2023.[3] It was released in cinemas on 23 March 2023.[2]

Plot

Emperor Claudius banishes Seneca and marries young Agrippina. Later, she requests that Seneca tutor their 12-year-old son Nero. Seneca returns and stands by Nero for several years, exerting a great influence on him, even after he becomes emperor. In 65 AD, Nero struggles to defend his tyrannical claim to sovereignty. Seneca, accused of being part of a conspiracy against Nero, is ordered to kill himself.

Cast

Production

Filming began on 25 September 2021 in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate.[4] On 29 October 2021, the schedule was completed.[5]

Release

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes had its premiere on 20 February 2023 as part of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, in Berlinale Gala Special. It was released in cinemas on 23 March 2023.[2] It was reported in December 2022 that Picture Tree Intl, a Berlin-based sales company has taken up the sale of the film.[6]

Reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 33% based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 1.7/10.[7]

Wendy Ide for ScreenDaily wrote in review that "It’s a film that features a lot of empty posturing, extravagant wigs, distracting set design full of stuff that is inexplicably on fire in the background, and numerous over-masticated performances."[8] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter calling the film "lame historical lampoon" wrote, "The problem is with the underlying conception. Schwentke’s attempt to create a parable of the decline of the American empire seems mainly forced and fatuous."[9]

Accolades
Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
German Film Award 12 May 2023 73rd German Film Awards Pre-selection Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes Nominated [10][11]

References
  1. Blaney, Martin (September 27, 2021). "Robert Schwentke's 'Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes' adds international cast". ScreenDaily. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  2. Maike Karr (December 16, 2022). ""Seneca": "Dark"-Star und Makovich in neuem Film von Robert Schwentke" ["Seneca": "Dark" star and Makovich in new film by Robert Schwentke]. film.at. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  3. Scott Roxborough (December 20, 2022). "Berlin Fest Adds World Premieres of John Malkovich's 'Seneca,' Alex Gibney's Boris Becker Doc". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  4. "Robert Schwentke feiert Drehstart von "Seneca" in Marokko" [Robert Schwentke celebrates the start of shooting of "Seneca" in Morocco]. Blickpunkt:Film (in German). September 27, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. "Seneca On the Creation of Earthquakes (Internationaler Englischer Titel), Seneca - oder: Über die Geburt von Erdbeben (Arbeitstitel)" [Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes]. Crew United (in German). February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. Barraclough, Leo (December 20, 2022). "Berlinale-Bound 'Seneca,' Starring John Malkovich, Picked Up by Picture Tree Intl., Teaser Debuts (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  7. "Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes (Drama 2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  8. Ide, Wendy (February 21, 2023). "Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes: Berlin Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  9. Farber, Stephen (February 20, 2023). "'Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes': Berlin Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  10. "Die Vorauswahl zum Deutschen Filmpreis steht fest" [The pre-selection for the German Film Awards has been made]. German Film Academy (in German). January 16, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  11. "Vorauswahl 2023" [Preselection 2023]. German Film Award (in German). January 16, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
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