International conference on ancient history and mythology in films

International experts in classics and filmmaking are taking part in a University of Liverpool conference to discuss the re-emergence of ancient world films in popular culture.

The conference, ‘Cinema and Antiquity: 2000-2011’, will examine films based in ancient history and mythology which have been released since the millennium, such as Gladiator, Clash of the Titans and 300. Topics discussed will include how audiences around the world respond differently to these films and the reasons for their widespread appeal.

Dr Joanna Paul from the University of Liverpool’s School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology said: “The cyclical nature of filmmaking is one reason for the increasing popularity of these films. In the 1950s, ancient world stories fascinated producers and audiences alike, but they fell out of fashion after they became commonplace and the stories were exhausted. When Gladiator came out in 2000, it seemed new and innovative because no-one had made a film like that for forty years. It’s interesting to think about why these films have remained popular for the past decade, and what the future might hold.”

Speakers include Monica Cyrino, who worked with Colin Farrell on his new film Fright Night, and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones who was an advisor for the costumes featured in Alexander.

The conference will take place from 12 to 14 July at the University of Liverpool’s Management School.