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AGORA (2010) (***1/2)

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Over the history of cinema, the oppression of Christians by Romans has been well documented in sword and scandal epics. This historical film moves forward in time from those tales to a time when the Roman empire was well in decline and Christianity had begun to take hold. It argues that oppression isn't the sole flaw of any given belief system, but a result of fundamentalism fueled by power.

The story purposes the work of Hypatia (Rachel Weisz, THE CONSTANT GARDENER), and I say purposes because none of her work remains and details about her are sketchy at best. What is fairly established is that she was a mathematician, philosopher and astronomer, who taught in 4th century Roman Egypt. She was the daughter of Theon Alexandricus (Michael Lonsdale, MUNICH), the last librarian of the Alexandria Library in the Museum of Alexandria. She was been created as the inventor of the hydrometer, which is used to determine the relative density and gravity of liquids, and along with her father, the astrolabe.

In the film and based on historical fact, she teaches Orestes (Oscar Isaac, ROBIN HOOD), the future prefect of Alexandria, and Synesius (Rupert Evans, HELLBOY), who would later become the bishop of Cyrene and one of the authors of the Holy Trinity concept. Davus (Max Minghella, THE SOCIAL NETWORK) is one of Hypatia's slaves, who helps her teach her class. The beautiful and deep thinker attracts the attention of many men, including Orestes and Davus. As in her legend, Hypatia rejects one suitor with her menstrual rag, stating there is nothing beautiful about carnal desire.

Hypatia begins to question the Ptolemaic system with the heliocentric model of the universe. Through her observations and calculations, she even wonders if the Earth is on a circular path around the Sun. But how could that be? The circle is the most perfect shape in the universe and God or the gods wouldn't design a universe that was based around something imperfect, right?

Hypatia's story is told upon a backdrop of religious and political turmoil. Orestes, in true politician form, leads a mob of pagans against Christians who have been defiling statues of Roman gods at the start of the film, but later when he becomes prefect he has converted to Christianity and is put to the test by the rising religious leader Cyril (Sami Samir, BODY OF LIES) to prove how much of a Christian he really is. That puts him in conflict with Hypatia, a scientific driven atheist, whose mere presence in Alexandria makes the Christian fundamentalists' skin crawl. Even devote Christians Synesius and Davus, who finds freedom in the booming religion, struggle with the teachings of the Bible and their love for their former teacher.

It's hard not to watch this film and not see parallels to Christian fundamentalism today. The destruction of the library where scientific scrolls were once held and the staunch belief that the Earth is flat reminds me of those who deny evolution and climate change today. For the fundamentalist, the argument is simple; the world must be flat or people on the sides of a round Earth would simply fall off. Hypatia's more complex observation and science based explanations just fall on deaf ears because if you truly believe that God makes the tide go in and out than bringing up the Moon and gravity is pointless.

The critics that call this film anti-Christian are clueless of history. If the film is anti anything it's anti extremism. Note that while there is some bombastic and bully-like debate between Christians and pagans before hand, watch who starts the first battle. The pagans take arms against the Christians for throwing fruit at the statues of their gods. It's fascinating to watch how religion and politics mix. Christianity gave power and dignity to the meek and some used it as a weapon against those that once oppressed them. By the time paganism was wiped out of Alexandria, you couldn't be in government without being a Christian. By then the new struggle wasn't between Christians and pagans, but Christians and the Jews, who were always suspect for their control of money and for "murdering" Christ.

Weisz does a remarkable job of making scientific debate compelling with the passion she brings to it. One understands why her students were so devoted to her and in some cases willing to stand up against the powerful of their on religion to defend her. As a protagonist, she is not an aggressor, but a survivor. She does her best to stay true to herself in the face of the changing world around her.

Those that know her story will already know her tragic end. While keeping true to historical facts about her death, the film takes some creative license with the details. It even softens the tragedy a bit. But it's an ironic touch that works well. A truly Christian act by Hypatia aides her in the end. She practices forgiveness, which Christ talked about more than keeping women in line or stifling debate. A Bible verse comes to mind. Romans 12:20 -- If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.

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Rick DeMott
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