Director Reinterprets Last Meals of Famous Historical Figures

It is not often that we hear about film projects dealing with last meals. It is even rarer to find such endeavors being related to history, as opposed to their pop cultural counterparts. Well, Gus Filgate, a director at Little Fish Films, has taken upon himself to conceive three short cinematic pieces, together called the “Last Supper” series, which deal with the last meals of three famous personalities from history – Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte and Jimi Hendrix.

The attention to details is quite breathtaking, with the short films aptly demonstrating the rich culinary traditions of our ancestors and predecessors. For instance, Jimi Hendrix’s last meal is commonly believed to have been a tuna sandwich, prepared by his girlfriend. Speaking about his project, Filgate said:

My Jimi Hendrix’s last supper film is going to be a little thing, a single shot with just a tiny dose of Hendrix in it. What appealed to me was the soundtrack; a piece of non-typical Hendrix just the right shape and size to fit a tuna sandwich.

Last supper of Jimi Hendrix

Filgate’s rendition of the last supper, of Julius Caesar, actually reproduces the essence of the Roman general’s unanticipated and violent murder. However, be noted that some of the ingredients, in the videos, are presented just for the dramatic effect. Like in the case of Caesar, tomatoes couldn’t have been available to ancient Romans. The director said:

I decided to make Caesar’s last supper film with many of my own slashing edits and cuts; for a fast paced, high octane and (if possible in film about a plate of dinner), emotional journey.

Last supper of Julius Caesar

Last supper of Julius Caesar

Last supper of Julius Caesar

Last supper of Julius Caesar

With regard to Napoleon Bonaparte’s last meal, Filgate said:

I want the food images to feel visceral and grubby. Napoleon was a dirty fighter, a revolutionary and an egotist. I love the idea of portraying his last meal as something dirty; filth amongst the lace and frills of the time, the last meal of a soldier who cares nothing for the pomp and chatter of political life.