Waiting for the Barbarians is a drama film released in 2019, directed by Ciro Guerra and adapted from J.M. Coetzee's novel of the same name. The movie follows the story of a Magistrate who is stationed in a remote outpost in an unnamed Empire. He spends his days managing the affairs of the small indigenous community and quietly maintaining the rule of law.
One day, the Magistrate discovers that a group of military officers has arrived in his town to investigate rumors of an impending attack by the "barbarians". As the investigation unfolds, the Magistrate becomes increasingly uneasy with the methods used by the military and starts to question his loyalty to the Empire.
The Magistrate's world is turned upside down when a young woman arrives in his outpost, fleeing from the brutal treatment of the military. The Magistrate takes her in, despite the risks and consequences to both of them.
As tensions rise between the Empire and the indigenous people, the Magistrate finds himself in a moral dilemma. He must choose between his duty to the Empire and his growing empathy for the oppressed and marginalized people he has come to care for.
Waiting for the Barbarians is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of power, oppression, and loyalty. It stars Mark Rylance as the Magistrate, along with Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson as the ruthless military officers. The movie received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its strong performances and powerful message.
