Inspiration
The origins and influences behind the Carpini screenplay
The Original Inspiration
The original inspiration for Carpini came from the Danish novel Rubruck by Poul Vad.
In fact, Rubruck followed Carpini to the Mongol Empire and wrote his own account of his travels.
I met Poul Vad whilst at UCL in 1984.
Cinematic Influences
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Werner Herzog, 1972
Werner Herzog's jungle masterpiece. A haunting exploration of obsession and madness in the quest for El Dorado, featuring Klaus Kinski's unforgettable performance.
The Warrior
Asif Kapadia, 2001
Set in the splendour of Rajasthan. A visually stunning meditation on violence, redemption, and the warrior's path.
Gladiator
Ridley Scott, 2000
Ridley Scott's Roman revenge romp. Epic in scale, intimate in emotion - a masterclass in historical epic storytelling.
Black Robe
Bruce Beresford, 1991
A powerful exploration of faith and cultural collision in 17th century North America, examining the clash between Jesuit missionaries and indigenous peoples.