Sebastiane

Sebastiane (1976) is a historical drama directed by Derek Jarman and Paul Humfress — watch it online on iFILM. The film is shot entirely in Latin, which makes it genuinely unusual among narrative features. Rome, AD 303: Sebastian, stripped of his rank as captain of the palace guard, is posted to a desolate coastal garrison by Emperor Diocletian.

There, his commanding officer Severus presses repeated unwanted advances on him, and Sebastian's Christian faith draws open contempt from the other soldiers — contempt that turns to torture. Jarman's feature debut is spare, erotic, and frontal about desire and martyrdom in equal measure. Stream Sebastiane (1976) online on iFILM.