Even when Ralph Fiennes’ adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” was revealed to be utilizing “modern technology in a contemporary setting,” we still weren’t expecting anything like this.
Two surprising set images from the Serbian-shot film — which co-stars the likes of Fiennes himself, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, Brian Cox, John Kani, Paul Jesson and James Nesbitt — have been released and depict a world more akin to the war films we’ve seen in recent times rather than any work of Shakespeare.
It does, however, explain why Fiennes recruited “The Hurt Locker” cinematographer Barry Ackroyd and “Green Zone” cameraman Oliver Driscoli, both pictured here with the actor-director, for this, his directorial debut.
The story follows General Coriolanus as he enters Roman Senate on the insistence of his mother (Redgrave). However, when he is banished from Rome for rioting after failing to win the public’s support, he must team with sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius (Butler), in taking out revenge on the city.
It’ll be fascinating to see how Fiennes goes modernizing the story with this gritty look and, at the same time, retain the Shakespearean language. It could go very wrong but so far, we’ve got to hand him kudos for ambition and audacity alone.