The Council of Egypt

The Council of Egypt (il Consiglio d’Egitto)

The Council of Egypt (il Consiglio d’Egitto)

original title:

il Consiglio d’Egitto

directed by:

cinematography:

set design:

costume design:

production:

Factory, Rai Cinema, supported by Ministero della Cultura, SDP Films (Paris), Focus Filmproduction (Budapest)

distribution:

country:

Italy/France/Hungary

year:

2001

film run:

135'

format:

35mm - colour

aspect ratio:

1.85:1

sound:

Dolby stereo

release date:

29/03/2002

festivals & awards:

Sicily,1782. The Ambassador of Marocco is forced to stop in Palermo because of a storm. The only person who can help him as interpreter and translator is a Franciscan monk named Vella. Vella immediately takes advantage of the situation, gaining notoriety not only by falsifying the Arab Codexes, but also inventing a new Arab Codexe (The Council of Egypt), according to which some feudal privileges are abolished. The noblemen are alarmed by the idea that their ancient privileges could be disowned; the Abbot Vella, feared, suspected, wooed and blandished, becomes the guest the most demanded by society. In the meanwhile a republican and libertarian battle is taking place… Thanks to a police inquiry the great imposture is unmasked, so as a revolution conspiracy leaded by the unsuspected lawyer Di Blasi, a man influenced by the French illuminist ideas - between the two men a strong sympathy grows: the great adventure of the abbot Vella interlaces with the illuminist conspiracy. In the moment of the defeat, the destiny of one and the destiny of the other seem to be bound : Di Blasi is arrested,while the abbot Vella will save himself with the help of some powerful people involved in his eversive project that protect him. When, then condemned in death, De Blasi will be brought at the scaffold , Vella will see him for the last time and will understand that he is bound to this man by a common defeated destiny.

(Source: Buskin Film)