Roma Sub Rosa: The Secret Under the Rose

I really enjoyed the way this film drew from historical figures of the distant past and made connections to the origins of the modern day mafia. This parallel was well drawn in this film-short without ever being heavy handed. I would love to see an expanded version of this piece where these threads can be more fully explored...Imagine, the origins of the modern day mob in the backdrop of an epic war during the ancient Roman period. It would a cross between "The Godfather" and "Gladiator." How do fighting men respond to a political atmosphere riddled with corruption and incompetence? We would finally have an epic war story that has some thoughtful integrity behind it!

I had heard about Roma Sub Rosa while touring the fest circuit with my last film. Cicumstances however conspired against me and I was unable to see it until very recently. Based on the hype, I was anticipating a letdown, but instead it was everything I had heard and more. Everything from set, to actors, dialogue, and story were top notch. Incredible. It was a truly immersive experience, transporting me to a very interesting period in history, placing me in the tent as an observer rather than feeling like an audience member watching a movie. I overheard at the screening that the producers are working on a feature length version of this outstanding film. I wish them luck. I for one will be the first in line if this ever comes to fruition. To the producers: Thank you sirs, may we have some more please?

Very seldom do you see a film that is shot in one location with a duration of 26 minutes that sustains all the drama, tension, and tenacity that keeps its audience glued to the screen. "Roma Sub Rosa" hit the nail on the head with super-human torque!! As I watched this short film I was so impressed by the details that were so well expressed....e.g. the costumes, the actors appearances, the set design, the dialects, the writing, the pacing, the ACTING....the action, etc. This film sucks you into the REALITY of life as a Roman General during the time that Hannibal was creating such havoc for them and shows you what these "normal", everyday guys with families, non-military jobs, and dreams beyond the battlefield, thought, loved, lived, etc. When a spontaneous assassination of the Emporer's 16 year old son is completed, Scipio, with blood on his hands tries to explain "the necessity of lying" to the Senate and Emporer about the fate of his spoiled brat son. The back story of this short film is explained in the first few minutes, which in short is that the Emproer's son wants to send Roman troops after Hannibal only two months after Hannibal slaughtered 35,000 Roman soldiers at the battle of "Ca Nae". To this order, Scipio and his fellow generals say, "NO!" and must face court marshal, death or killing this belligerent little brat and creating a cover for the murder until they can explain it at a later date. The acting is brilliant on every level...the action shots...the fight scenes are spectacular and the dialogue are all so real and convincing, I felt like I was watching the prequel to The Sopranos. This film ROCKED the Del Rey International Film Festival and will, I'm sure, create waves at any venue in which it is viewed. This movie is a must see!!!!

This film, is so slick, so criminally intelligent. It's the first time I've seen Roman soldiers portrayed as men, with all the fear & conflicted, nuanced, detailed emotions of men who are about to over throw the government. It brings to light the birth of Mafia. How a generation of Field Officers whom are loyal to each other and not the glory of Rome swear an allegiance that will make them either Enemies of the State or the most powerful men the world has ever seen. The depth and emotional range of these characters is nothing shy of superb and instead of men touting the glories of war and the virtues of honor, they are a vicious lot of criminals that you root for every step of the way, men whom you would not want to cross, but definitely would want on your side in the worst of battles, these are men that I believed could forge an Empire, the old way, the ways of Mafia. THIS FILM IS A FRANCHISE WAITING TO HAPPEN