A documentary on "The Tapestry of the Apocalypse"

Woven in the 14th century, the Tapestry of the Apocalypse illustrates the visions that Saint John had and wrote down in a book called the "Apocalypse of John" or the "Book of Revelation", the last book of the Bible. The film goes back over the events marking these seven centuries: a monumental tapestry for princely use in the 14th century, it was damaged, torn and sectioned in the 18th century, before being rediscovered and henceforth preserved for future generations. 

 Several approaches to reading it are proposed: as an artistic work, with biblical references and a historical context. Historically, parallels are drawn between the 1^st century with the battle of the first Christians against the Roman Empire – which is when Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation – and the 14^th century when the tapestry was woven, during the Hundred Years' War against England. 

How this heritage relates to the present day has not been forgotten, with the know-how of heddle-setters kept alive, the allusion to Jean Lurçat's work, the "Chant du Monde", also in Angers, as well as the thoughts on the millenarian sectarian movements. 

Co-produced by Ana Films, Inward Productions and KTO, it has in particular received funding from the Mécène & Loire business foundation. It is being televised in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy and an English version is due shortly. 

The DVD came out on 22 March 2012 in the usual sales outlets and the Château d'Angers gift shop, or can be purchased from www.inward-shop.fr . 

Cinema showing for one night only: Les 400 coups in Angers on Thursday 22 March at 8.15 p.m., attended by the director. 

Online

• Rodolphe Viémont's website
• Château d'Angers