Write a synopsis for a short movie about the life of Akhnaten
Akhnaten was born in Egypt in the 14th century BC. His father, Amenhotep III, was the king of Egypt, and his mother, Tiye, was the queen.
Akhnaten was educated by his father and tutors, and he became interested in religion and philosophy. When Amenhotep III died, Akhnaten's older brother, Amenhotep IV, became king.
Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhnaten and his religion to Atenism, a monotheistic religion that worshipped the sun god Aten. Akhnaten built a new capital city, Akhetaten, and he and his queen, Nefertiti, ruled Egypt together.
However, the people of Egypt did not accept Akhnaten's new religion, and after his death, they reverted back to the old religion of Egypt.
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Create a dialog for an opening scene with Akhnaten and his father, discussing his education. Add a conflict to the discussion.
Akhnaten:
Father, I have been thinking about what I should learn next.
Amenhotep III:
And what have you decided?
Akhnaten:
I would like to learn about religion and philosophy.
Amenhotep III:
That is a good idea, my son. I will make sure you have the best tutors for those subjects.
Akhnaten:
But I also want to learn about the old religion of Egypt.
Amenhotep III:
Why would you want to learn about that? The old religion is no longer relevant.
Akhnaten:
I just think it would be interesting, father.
Amenhotep III:
Interesting or not, it is not worth your time. You will learn about the new religion of Atenism and that is that.
Now let us switch to a scene much later in his life: Akhnaten conflicts with one of his architects about temple construction. Write a synopsis for the scene and start a dialog.
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The setting is in Akhnaten's new capital city, Akhetaten. Akhnaten is standing in front of a small temple that has been built to his specifications. He is not happy with it and is demanding that a bigger, more impressive temple be built.
Akhnaten:
This temple is not what I wanted! It is too small and insignificant!
Architect:
But your majesty, this is what you asked for.
Akhnaten:
I know what I asked for, but I have changed my mind. I want a bigger temple, one that will befit my god, Aten.
Architect:
But your majesty, that will take years to build and we do not have the resources for it.
Akhnaten:
Then find the resources! I am the king and I want this temple built!
Architect:
Yes, your majesty.
This is the final scene. He is at the end of his life. Try to embody his mindset using all available literature and try to be as accurate as possible concerning historical facts.
Akhnaten stands alone in the desert, his body weak and frail. He knows his time is coming to an end. He thinks back on his life, all that he has accomplished and all that he has lost. He remembers his wife, Nefertiti, and their children. He remembers the city of Akhetaten, which he built in honor of his god, Aten. And he remembers the day that everything changed. The day that the priests of Amun rose up against him and declared him a heretic. The day that he was forced to flee his city and leave his family behind.
Akhnaten knows that he will never see them again. He knows that he will die alone in the desert, far from the home and the people he loves. But he is at peace with his fate. He knows that he has done everything he can to live his life according to his beliefs. And he knows that, in the end, that is all that any of us can do.
Even though he knows his death is coming, he faces it with courage and dignity. He knows that he has lived his life according to his convictions, and that is all anyone can ask for.
Suddenly, he hears footsteps behind him. He knows his time has come. He turns to face his Assassin and looks them in the eye. He knows that he has lived a good life, and he dies content knowing that his legacy will live on.
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Write a final and dramatic dialog between his Assassin and him. Add the reasoning that motivates the villain:
Assassin:
Akhnaten, you are a heretic and a traitor. You have blasphemed against the gods and led our people astray. For this, you must die.
Akhnaten:
I am not a heretic. I have only ever followed my convictions.
Assassin:
Your convictions have led our people to ruin. The gods have forsaken us because of you.
Akhnaten:
The gods have not forsaken us. They have only ever been a figment of our imagination.
Assassin:
You are a madman. You deserve to die.
Akhnaten:
I am not mad. I am at peace with myself and with the world.
Assassin:
Peace is not something you will find in the afterlife. You will burn in the pits of the underworld for eternity.
Akhnaten:
I am not afraid of death. I know that my legacy will live on.
Assassin:
Your legacy will be one of destruction. You will be remembered as the man who led our people to ruin.
Akhnaten:
I would rather be remembered as a man who followed his convictions than a man who bowed to the will of others.
Akhnaten:
I die content knowing that I have lived my life according to my beliefs.
Assassin:
You will die alone and forgotten.
Akhnaten:
I am not afraid to die. I know that my legacy will live on.
Now the Assasin does his deed. Describe the scene and add a theatrical and dramatical touch to it.
In a sudden motion, the Assassin approaches Akhnaten, drawing his knife. Akhnaten turns to face him, and their eyes meet. The Assassin hesitates for a moment, but then he plunges the knife into Akhnaten's chest.
Akhnaten gasps in pain, but he does not cry out. He looks at the Assassin with calm eyes, and he dies content knowing that he has lived his life according to his beliefs.
Describe the outfits of the characters:
The outfits of the characters are traditional Ancient Egyptian clothing. Akhnaten is wearing a kilt and a tunic, with sandals and a headdress. Amenhotep III is wearing a more elaborate version of the same. The assassin is wearing a dark robe, with a hood to conceal their identity. The architect is wearing a light linen tunic, with a belt and sandals.
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