Where Film and Art do meet...
Film is barely a 100 years old, and strolls far behind Literature, which exists and shines for some 5000 years, and can't light a foot candle to music, which is probably a million years old...But, film is catching up, although the cannonball race that modern society is nowadays does more damage then good. 'Medea' is the prove that film can, or might, be art. In a gallant way.
Pasolini's MEDEA deserves, on a scale from 1 to 10, a 1001.
This film, even if the viewer MIGHT not be completely satisfied after watching this picture (rumour has it that there actually are 4 to 6 of them somewhere on our planet), will linger on in the mind forever. Gorgeous shots will come back over and over again, the enigmatic yet beautiful soundtrack combined with the breathtaking locations will prove to be unforgettable !
Pasolini of course was a very wise man and leader, otherwise it is impossible one can surround himself with so much talent and craft. Having cinematographer Guarnieri, designer Ferretti and costume designer Tosi in your team means one knows that only the best were good enough.
There are others though, the nameless of the production team must have done an impossible good job to get this movie shot in those sensational but extremely difficult places.
And then of course, there is Callas.
No no, you Filistines, La Divina is not singing here. Callas already ended her career as unparalleled Opera Diva when she shot this movie. She did use her bottomless brown eyes and enormous presence for MEDEA though.
Many claim that MATTHEW'S PASSION is the ultimate PASOLINI Movie. They might be right; that one is as beautiful and as haunting as MEDEA.
But MEDEA has the truly unique locations.
And can boast that it has Maria Callas in her only movie-role...
score 10/10
wobelix 11 March 2005
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1037529/35025
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