When the movie “Alexander” was written, directed, and filmed, was Oliver Stone — stoned? Did he have absolutely no idea what he was doing? Or is there a pornographic element to his nature that he finally revealed in how he chose to film the dance scene?
If the reader does not know what the heck I’m talking about, then he apparently never bothered to see “Alexander,” which possibly is strange — or even unforgivable if the listener is gay; for Alexander and Hephaestion must be the most stunning gay love story of all times. Lovers since age thirteen until the end, no deeper love has been known. And then there was young Bagoas, who entered into the scene when he was sixteen.
Who was Bagoas? Of the great Persian king Darius the Third’s 30,000 slaves and concubines; Bagoas was his favorite, the one he kept by his side — and very often under him. Yet, Bagoas was far more than a concubine. He was from an aristocratic family, cultured, highly educated, and talented in music and dance. And dance — dance in reality and dance as portrayed in the movie — is what I’m talking about.
When the Persian king disgraced himself by fleeing from Alexander, he irrevocably shamed himself. He no longer was truly a great king. His general Nabarzenes perceived Alexander’s greatness and went to swear fealty to Alexander and to offer rich gifts. Among them was Bagoas (his having persuaded Bagoas that he was meant only for great kings) who, reportedly was “the most beautiful boy in all of Persia.” Bagoas was no mere servant. He knew the most intimate details of the Persian court, who the military leaders were, their personalities, Persian protocol, and a wealth of other information very useful to Alexander. As a consequence, Bagoas became an indispensable advisor, as well as an additional partner for Alexander.
Where does the dance come in? After surviving the trek across the great Gedrosian desert, Alexander and his troops held a celebration in Susa, during which they included a dance contest. Individuals performed traditional Persian dances and were appraised by Alexander and the troops. According to Plutarch and other contemporary writers, an episode documents that the love between the two was common knowledge among the troops, and much appreciated. At the dancing contest, Bagoas won the honors and then went to sit by Alexander’s side, "which so pleased the Macedonians that they shouted out for him to kiss Bagoas, and never stopped clapping their hands and shouting until Alexander took him in his arms and kissed him warmly." (Plutarch, The Lives).
But what kind of dance was it? If Oliver “Stoned” and his writers had done the most basic research, they would have found that ancient Persian dances employed very traditionally structured, formal movements. The traditional dances often celebrated the sun-and-light god Mithra or some momentous event. Even to this day, traditional dances from the Mideast to Japan are very formal. If you saw, however, the ludicrous dance scene in the movie, you immediately would have noted that there was no semblance of reality or common sense. Filmed inside a set of a steamy palace and with Alexander supposedly drunk on wine, the revelers are entertained with Hollywood-1950’s-style movie-music. Several adult, semi-nude men dance all at the same time and with bizarre, willowy, supposedly sensuously suggestive movements. Some soldiers shout encouragement, while others find the scene distasteful. The dance culminates with Bagoas and a second dancer implying a sexual act. I suppose the point of the scene is to show the disgust on the faces of some of the Macedonian officers. Frankly, I probably had the same look on my face when I first saw it — not because I’m prudish, but because the writers were so profoundly ignorant and the scene so far from the historical truth.
If I were to fire up my time machine and bring back Alexander, Hephaestion, Bagoas, and Plutarch for that matter, and showed them the dance scene from the “Stoned” movie, I feel that they would be rather dismayed. Alexander, as a matter of fact, might be tempted to have a face-to-face conversation with Mr. Stone and, perhaps, provide a rather convincing example of the fate of those who dishonored Alexander or those whom he loved. And had I fired up my time machine, I would have brought Alexander, Hephaestion, Bagoas, and Plutarch here today and had Bagoas perform for you — dance, that is. And, you would have seen what I mean.
© 29 September 2012
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