In director John Irvin's allegorical tale, a troubled film production begins to mirror events unfolding in Italy on the eve of World War II as the international cast and crew bring their conflicting politics to the set. With his movie facing financial woes to boot, can gay Jewish producer Davide Rieti (Alfred Molina) complete his epic in the midst of so much turmoil? The first-rate cast also includes Jonathan Pryce and Catherine McCormack.