This documentary explores Pompeii, that city cloaked in mystery which, over the course of history, has influenced culture and art, from Neoclassicism to Contemporary Art, through images and words by the great artists and writers who experienced, visited and imagined it: from Pliny the Younger to Picasso, from Emily Dickinson to Jean Cocteau.

The film doesn’t just deal with the volcano eruption, which has gone down in history, but with what the city of Pompeii itself was actually like: how its citizens lived their lives, spent their free time, experienced pleasure, passion, religion and their fate.

SHOWING AT THESE NZ CINEMAS:

Matakana Cinemas, Matakan - From 29 April
Academy, Auckland - From 29 April
The Capitol, Auckland - From 30 April
The Vic, Auckland - From 29 April
Waiheke Island Community Cinema, Waiheke Island - From 29 April
Cinema 3, Pukekohe - From 29 April
Tivoli, Cambridge - From 29 April
WhakaMax, Whakatane - From 29 April
Len Lye Cinema, New Plymouth - From 29 April
Embassy 3, Whanganui - From 29 April
The Screening Room, Masterton - From 29 April
Shoreline, Waikanae - From 29 April
Light House Petone, Wellington - From 29 April
Light House Pauatahanui, Wellington - From 29 April
Light House Cuba, Wellington - From 29 April
Picton Cinemas, Picton - From 29 April
Suter Theatre, Nelson - From 29 April
The Gecko, Motueka - From 29 April
Movie Max Digital, Timaru - From 29 April
Arthur's, Cromwell - From 29 April
Alexandra Central Cinema, Alexandra - From 12 May