The Garden of Eden

1998 1h 35m IT

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 8

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Alessandro D'Alatri directed this Italian drama about Jesus Christ, covering his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, an 18-year span not chronicled in the Bible. The film uses names of the period instead of names given in the Bible. The adult Jeoshua (Kim Rossi Stuart) reflects on past events -- his journey into the desert, baptism, acceptance into the Essenes' community, Jewish life in Galilee, his yeshiva studies, education from his father Josef (Omar Chenbod), and his spiritual growth. After seeing slavery, crucifixions, the stoning of an adulteress, and brutal Roman soldiers, Jeoshua turns to God for answers, leaves the village, and is betrayed by his friend Aziz (Said Taghmaoui), who leaves him to die in the desert. Issues such as carnality bring Jeoshua in conflict with the Essenes, yet he speaks out on behalf of the Essene David (popular Italian singer Lorenzo Cherubini).

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Kim Rossi Stuart
Jesus
Boris Terral
Johannes
Kassandra Voyagis
Saïd Taghmaoui
Aziz
Jovanotti
Massimo Ghini
Renzo Stacchi
Asher Coher

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Alessandro D'Alatri
Writers: Miro Silvera
Languages: Italian

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

28 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Aldo De Scalzi. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Cecilia Zanuso shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Kim Rossi Stuart and Boris Terral and Kassandra Voyagis carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0140073 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 8 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Alessandro D'Alatri directs. Aldo De Scalzi scores. Cecilia Zanuso cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Dialogue in Italian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

128 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Original score by Aldo De Scalzi. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Cecilia Zanuso shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Kim Rossi Stuart and Boris Terral and Kassandra Voyagis carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0140073 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 8 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.