Reassigned to a lowly outpost, a Roman guard's Christian beliefs clash with his gay commander's desire for closeness. Being tortured becomes pleasurable.Reassigned to a lowly outpost, a Roman guard's Christian beliefs clash with his gay commander's desire for closeness. Being tortured becomes pleasurable.Reassigned to a lowly outpost, a Roman guard's Christian beliefs clash with his gay commander's desire for closeness. Being tortured becomes pleasurable.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Sebastian
- (as Leonard Treviglio)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
- Emperor's Guest
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen asked about the film's nudity, director Derek Jarman replied "We couldn't afford costumes."
- GoofsThe soldiers play with a modern Frisbee in one scene. When one soldier catches it, the logo appears.
- Quotes
Sebastian: His eyes are so beautiful. He has sky-blue eyes.
Justin: What is this? What are you talking about?
Sebastian: His hair is like the sun's rays.
Justin: Sebastian...
Sebastian: His body is golden like molten gold. This hand of his... will smooth away these wounds. Justin, he is as beautiful as the sun. This sun which caresses me... is his burning desire. He is Phoebus Apollo. The sun... is his... burning kiss.
- Alternate versionsWhen shown on British television in the 1980s, a shot of a naked man with the erection was cut out of the film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Arena: Derek Jarman - A Portrait (1991)
The military culture in the film is rustic, aggressive, bold and hyper masculine. All scenes contain soldiers wearing a loincloth or nothing at all. The climate of the region is very hot. No character is modest in displaying combat skills, love and affection for another. The troop's constant disdain for any tradition/belief contrary to their own is a recurring theme.
Sebastiane becomes the target of the troop's aggressive nature, willingly embracing his persecution. It comes across as a Christian being devoured by a lion in the Roman Colosseum. The troop stationed in a desolate spot on the coast of the Italian peninsula ridicules, tortures and eventually executes Sebastiane for refusing to relinquish his chastity and adherence to the new faith. It may be perceived that he was mistreated for rejecting his station in life, though at the time anyone who joined the military did not think twice about giving up arms for a peaceful life. Sebastiane would have participated in warfare if the Emperor commanded it.
In 3rd Century Imperial Rome, Christianity and Polytheism were in conflict, resulting in reigns marked by global adherence for polytheism or peace between different religious communities. During Sebastiane's life, Christianity was still a minority religion. It was treated as a threat to the security of the Empire. Anyone who openly practiced the faith was executed. Churches built were destroyed for the construction of temples. The Emperor was unwilling to show leniency towards anyone who contested his divine authority.
There is only one soldier who regards Sebastiane as a friend: Justin. Even though they don't become lovers, they are bound to one another through mutual trust and compassion. Justin is willing to listen to Sebastiane's viewpoints and knowledge of Jesus Christ. When watching his friend dance he is enraptured by graceful movement. He acts as a barrier between Sebastiane and the troop. Without Justin's diligent protection, Sebastiane would have been executed early on in his punishment.
It is somewhat of an irony that despite Commander Severus' multiple attempts to subdue his defiant soldier, he appears indifferent to Sebastiane's devotion to Jesus Christ. He threatens to kill him if he does not reciprocate his advances. He is after all, a mere man stranded in an area far from civilization. Alcoholism ruins his self- restraint, though Sebastiane does not succumb to anger or hatred. He takes this injustice in stride for his faith teaches him to show compassion towards the flaws of a person.
The film equates nudity with misery. When someone is miserable, a person can easily see it. His life is consuming him mercilessly so no effort to hide it is made. The men are nude for their violence, internal conflict, masculinity and love for one another are the interlocking factors of the story. Nudity emphasizes the relationship between these things. It gives the audience a message that human nature in Imperial Rome is truly understood if one takes away the subtlety and ambiguity redundantly utilized in the artistic portrayal of this historical period.
It would be amiss to not mention that that nudity in a Mediterranean climate was considered reasonable during the summer season amongst cloistered men. Being fully clothed was just foolishness. If no woman is in sight, a man would not feel uncomfortable in taking his clothes off. He is surrounded by friends whom he trusts and shares a bond with.
I commend the late Director Derek Jarman for instructing his entire cast to speak in Latin. There are only a handful of films in Post- modernist Cinema that are entirely produced in classical language. Latin much like Sanskrit, is viewed as a dead language, thus Derek Jarman's effort to present Imperial Roman culture as accurate as possible is dignified.
- How long is Sebastiane?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $4,091
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1