Cabiria Review - Kai Makino Dilloway

 Cabiria is one of the most entertaining silent films that I've personally seen. The score, special effects, acting, comedic relief, and plot are all captivating and it's also visually stunning. Many of the sets (such as the temple of Moloch) are to-scale, grand, and detailed, so it's easy to admire when you're watching. Many of the sequences and scenes are also very visually appealing and cinematic, especially for its time. All that being said, I think this movie is a good watch for people who are 'film buffs' or just like history and/or silent movies. While there is a cohesive and easy to follow plotline, the story is pretty weak, at least if you go into it expecting the story to be about Cabiria. It's more about the 2nd Punic War along with the misadventures of Fulvius and Maciste (which is pretty entertaining, but the way in which these all relate is a little farfetched). It's as if the creators wanted to tell 3 different stories at once but didn't really know how, so they just made this. Additionally, it's important to remember this film was made, essentially, for Italian propaganda. Its depictions of northern Africans is racist and stereotypical, relying on old tropes of "the good servant" as well as portraying them as greedy, manipulative savages in order to make the Romans (Italians) look better. Basically, Cabiria reflects a huge step forward in the world of early film, but also reflects the pervasive racism, misogyny, and nationalism that was taking over Italy at that time. 

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