The story of Herodias and Salome is reborn and reimagined for director Michael Justin Lee’s Salome. The film requires some background and context on the viewer’s part, but once the tale is recognized, we get to see a more close-up portrait of the drama.

Lee sets up the film as if it were behind the scenes (or, perhaps, curtains in this case) and equips the scene with shadows and stark cinematography. The principal actresses are challenged to make startling impressions in a short runtime; one, power-hungry and manipulative, the other, timid, yet aiming to please. Lee packs enough tension between these characters, and gets his audience to consider this biblical story a bit further, while demonstrating an ear for mood.

Dove is proud to award Salome with approval for All Ages.