John the Baptist, the prophet of Israel, is imprisoned by Herod, governor of Judea for protesting Herod's marriage to his brother's wife. Jealousies rage and Herod's step-daughter and niece Salome seduces Herod by means of a torrid dance to give her the head of the prophet - but then tries to save the life of the man she has thus condemned. Updated to a WWII setting
Production
Wartime aesthetic reimagines Judea as fascist nightmare.
Acting
Jo Champa's dance is all dangerous, desperate heat.
Direction
d'Anna stages Wilde like a fevered Brechtian opera.
Director
Claude d'Anna
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
d'Anna's adaptation emerged during Italy's 'anni di piombo' — the fascist subtext was dangerously pointed for 1986.
Jo Champa was primarily a model; this remains her most substantial screen role, cast for her physical presence rather than classical training.
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