But the finer theological points do not concern me. What is incontrovertible is that in our post-9/11 world, the Book of Revelations touches many exposed cultural nerves. We all know that if terrorists gain access to nuclear or biological weapons, it will quite literally mean the end of the world. We also know that such a prospect would not give them a moment’s pause, and that we are therefore potentially facing imminent extinction. That knowledge provides the necessary human element which now makes Saint John’s eschatological ravings seem not merely relevant but even realistic.’

The young man reappeared.

‘Marcello again, maestro. He says it’s a matter of the highest priority and he must speak to you immediately.’

Luciano Aldobrandini slumped disgustedly.

‘For the love of God, Pippo, I told you I wasn’t to be disturbed! What do you think I pay you for? Oh well, I suppose we both know the answer to that. However, my agent works for me, not the other way round. Tell him I’ll call him when I’m good and ready — and not to dare interrupt me again.’

He turned to camera again, but the incident had clearly unsettled him and he appeared to have lost the thread of his presentation.

‘Nevertheless, it’s hard to see how the actual content of the Book of Revelations can successfully be brought to the screen,’ prompted the interviewer. ‘The text reads more like a violent fantasy video game. One might perhaps be able to imagine a Japanese anime version, but I understand that your work is to be filmed on location in Calabria.’

‘The raw material, yes. And some will remain raw. Other segments may be freeze-frame, slow motion or vastly speeded up. During the apocalyptic experience, as in Einsteinian physics, time and space become purely relative. The majority of the footage will be radically edited and post-processed using all the resources of modern computer graphics, and the results, I can assure you, will be something never before achieved, never even imagined or dreamt! Some envious individuals have been saying for years that I would never make another film, that I was burned out.