"Ashoka the Great"

French Title: "Ashoka"

Genre: Historical epic
Circa:3rd Century before J.C.
Main Location: India
Duration: 2h 30 min
Format: 35mm
Estimated Budget: 20 millions USD

This film project is copyrighted and protected under international laws.

Project outline:

This film project is a biopic, a screen adaptation of the inspiring life of the great buddhist king Ashoka, who ruled an immense empire in India in the 3rd century before Christ.

A visionary king, way ahead of his time, Ashoka advocated non violence, tolerance and harmony between all peoples, nations, cultures and different religious faiths. His legacy is still relevant to our world today, his most famous written work ("The Edicts of Ashoka") being still considered as an unrivaled wisdom manual for political leaders in Asia.

H.G. Wells wrote of Ashoka: "In the history of the world there have been thousands of kings and emperors who called themselves 'their highnesses,' 'their majesties,' and 'their exalted majesties' and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day."

Pitch/synopsis:

India, 3rd Century before J.C. The Kalinga war is raging. 100,000 deaths, 150,000 prisoners deported. Ashoka, a bloody king, brings terror and destruction on its way to victory, showing no mercy to his enemies. His thirst for conquest and power is insatiable. Leading an army of 600,000 warriors, 30,000 horsemen, 9,000 elephants and thousands of mercenaries, King Ashoka is aiming at opening a passage to the South of India through the city of Kalinga. This last war campaign, the greatest invasion ever recorded in Indian history until then, will confront him to his own internal demons, his most hidden fears, unexpectedly inducing a profound change of heart. Feeling terrible remorses about his actions, Ashoka will struggle for his own redemption, beginning a spiritual transformation that will lead him from darkness to light...

Author's comments:

Ashoka the Great

Ashoka's own words as known from his Edicts are:

"All men are my children. I am like a father to them. As every father desires the good and the happiness of his children, I wish that all men should be happy always."

Emperor Ashoka the Great (304 BC–232 BC) (Imperial Title:"Devanampiya Piyadassi" ie "He who is the beloved of the Gods who, in turn is his loving servant") was the ruler of the Maurya Empire from 273 BC to 232 BC. After a number of military conquests, Ashoka reigned over most of South Asia and beyond, from present-day Afghanistan and parts of Persia in the west, to Bengal and Assam in the east, and as far south as Mysore.

The Great Stupa of Sanchi, built by Emperor Ashoka.

Ashoka was ranked #53 on Michael H. Hart's list of the most influential figures in history.

Yet, no film on Ashoka's life has ever been made so far for the international audience, except a very 'bollywood' indian movie in which Ashoka's life was largely fictionalized. My film would be the first faithful, realistic biopic of Ashoka's life made specially for western viewers and mainstream international markets, making Ashoka's message accessible to the whole world.

a fragment of Ashoka's pillars where his Edicts where engraved

Starting in present time in India with an image of Ashoka's pillars, then going back in time 2,300 years ago, my biopic of Ashoka's life will focus mainly on Ashoka's political, historical and spiritual legacy, highlighting his universal message of peace, wisdom and compassion, still relevant today.

"Ten years of reign having been completed, King Ashoka made known the doctrine of Piety to men; and from this moment he has made men more pious, and everything thrives throughout the whole world. And the king abstains from killing living beings, and other men and those who are huntsmen and fishermen of the king have desisted from hunting. And if some were intemperate, they have ceased from their intemperance as was in their power; and obedient to their father and mother and to the elders, in opposition to the past also in the future, by so acting on every occasion, they will live better and more happily."
(Trans. of a fragment of Ashoka's Edicts by G.P. Carratelli)

To get further information on "Ashoka the Great" film project, obtain the final script (in English or in French), take part in the production or join the cast, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.

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