|
|
Filmed in Morocco in May and June 1998, "Esther" tells the story of the queen of Persia, the Jewess Esther, who risks her own life to save her people. After the conquest of Babylon, Persia has become an immense empire. In order to demonstrate his wealth and glory, Ahasuerus, the present King of Persia, gives a banquet for his people at which he requests the presence of his wife, Vashti.
As she refuses the King's demand, Ahasuerus disowns Vashti and goes in search of her replacement. In his harem, he meets the young Jewish girl Esther who immediately captivates him with her charm and beauty. Unaware of her Jewish heritage, King Ahasuerus, falls in love with Esther and makes her Queen. However, the Jews within the Persian Kingdom are under threat due to a new law which legalizes their persecution and execution.
Esther then reveals to Ahasuerus that she herself is Jewish and asks him to show her people mercy. In so doing, she saves the lives of many innocent people and paves the way for their return to Jerusalem.
Directed by Raffaele Mertes, the screenplay was written by Sandy Niemand. Louise Lombard stars as the beautiful and courageous Esther and Thomas Kretschmann plays King Ahasuerus. Esther's uncle Mordecai is portrayed by F. Murray Abraham and Jürgen Prochnow plays the evil minister Haman. The internationally renowned Italian actress Ornella Muti plays Vashti, King Ahasuerus' first wife. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Starring
|
Louise Lombard
F. Murray Abraham
Jürgen Prochnow
Thomas Kretschmann
Frank Baker
John Hollis
Umberto Orsini
Ornella Muti
|
|
| Directed by
|
Raffaele Mertes
|
|
|
| Produced by |
Produced by LUBE for LUX VIDE, BetaFilm and Quinta in association with RAI, France 2, Antena 3, ARD, MTM, Czech TV, NCRV and BSkyB. |
|
|
Please Login here to enter our Screeningroom.
|
|
|
|
