Cleopatra (1999), dir. Franc Roddam~ Cleopatra's haunting suicide scene. Leonor Varela resurrects the strong, intelligent, proud, and charming Egyptian Queen in this immersive film adaptation of the historical fiction book by Margaret George, The Memoirs of Cleopatra. The final scene artfully incorporates lush decorations and temples, glistening lights, the exotic beauty covered in gold and surrounded by flames, and the sacred aesthetic of the mise-en-scene. The beautifully framed moments reveal

Archaeologists investigate the downfall of Cleopatra, and hunt for her lost tomb in a secret tunnel beneath an ancient temple. Archaeologists investigate the downfall of Cleopatra and hunt for her lost tomb in a secret tunnel beneath an ancient temple. | National Geographic UK