Secret Passage (2004)

Director:

Ademir Kenovic

Writer:

Ademir Kenovic (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Isabel and Clara are growing up in a time of terror. It is 1492, and Spain has decreed that all Jews must either convert to Catholicism...

Plot Keywords:

Forced Baptism | Spain | Anti Semitism | Spanish Inquisition | Marriage

Cast

John Turturro	...	Paolo Zane
Katherine Borowitz	...	Isabel
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Clara
Hannah Taylor-Gordon	...	Victoria
Anton Rodgers	...	Foscari
Ronald Pickup	...	Da Monte
Richard Harrington	...	Joseph
Seymour Matthews	...	Ruben
Marc Pickering	...	Andrea Zane
Carmen Sorrenti	...	Francesca
Adam Kotz	...	Inquisitor
Alessandra Costanzo	...	Maid Benviniste
Mustafa Nadarevic	...	Foscari's Informant
Frank Baker	...	Don Benveniste
Marianne Borgo	...	Donna Benveniste

Also Known As:

The Lion's Mouth (UK) (working title)

Country:

Italy | Luxembourg | Portugal

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

Company:

Delux Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Prince Ruperts Drops appears in the film, despite Prince Rupert of the Rhine not being born for another 120 years.

Exceptional film about an important time in history!

I loved this film. Among the highlights: the cinematography and scenes of Renaissance Venice; the sensitive portrayal of the Jews in hiding trying to maintain their faith; the superb acting of Isabel (Katherine Borowitz); the quiet beauty and expressiveness of the young girl Victoria (what a wonderful young actress, Hannah Taylor-Gordon) ; and the intrigues of the plot that keeps one glued to the screen, waiting to see what happens next. My only criticism was that there was some lack of clarity in what was happening as the plot reached its climax - pertaining to both to the glassmaker and the sister's emotional reactions to each other near the end. But the lack of clarity also keeps one reflecting on the film. All in all, a haunting film which I highly recommend.