Anazapta

Anazapta is an English medieval thriller set in 1348. As seems natural for period dramas like this, it combines lust, desire and revenge in a story that uses as a backdrop the spectre of the oncoming shadow of the Black Death.

Following a battle with the French, a French hostage is brought back to a small English village. The idea is that he will be used as a makeweight in a deal to get one of their own side back. The prisoner is supposed to be someone of high standing, but his identity along with that of those in the village is somewhat murky.

Anazapta as a period drama is well-made and is competently directed by Albert Sciamma. Its also however, one of those take-it or leave-it films, the trouble is its not that exciting and leaves you thinking at times where its all going. Will it find an audience ? Probably – but I also think you won’t have a problem finding a seat at any of the showings of it either. Perhaps those studying that particular period of history might like it.

Matt Arnoldi