A film opened in virtual theaters on August 28, which will have a VOD release on all major streaming outlets on September 8, which is a bit of a puzzler to review…

Hence, this bit of prose.

Entwined

An official selection of the Toronto Film Festival, Entwined was written by John de Holland and Minos Nikolakaki, and was also directed by Nikolakaki.

Official Synopsis (From Dark Star Pictures):

City doctor Panos relocates to a remote village in order to of-fer his services to the community. It’s love at first sight when he sets eyes on Danae, who lives in isolation, with a mysterious skin condition. Determined to cure her, Panos will soon discover Danae is not the helpless princess he thought she was and time is of the essence for both of them.

With a runtime of 89 minutes,  Entwined is Unrated at this time

A combination Greek/UK production, Entwined is played in both English and Greek (English subtitles), and plays not unlike a stage play, with very few sets and limited characters.

Entwined is an intimate story,  as Panos, dealing with his own personal problems, finds in Danae a chance to be a doctor again, to heal her, and, perhaps, heal himself, as well.

But all is not as it seems for poor Panos, as caring for Danae begins to consume his every waking thought as he struggled both to take her away from the forest to get her help, while simultaneously battling the longing she brings out in him to stay with her there.

Prometheus Aleiferopoulos and Anastasia-Rafaela Konidi are Panos and Danae, and their performances are truly wonderful. Konidi is especially bright as the childlike yet mature Danae, who skillfully manipulates Panos into staying with her and embodying the magic of the forest.

Cinematographer Thodoros Mihopoulos presents some truly beautiful visuals throughout the film, lending to the film’s professed “fairy tale” qualities.

But I might venture farther, as “fairy tale” tends to invoke a more western European tradition (Germany, France, England, etc.), and, while the description is accurate, Entwined takes place in Greece.

So, while “fairy tale” is a completely legitimate descriptor for the film, perhaps “mythological” mightn’t be a better choice.

Danae to Panos as Calypso to Odysseus, each catching them in a love that is likely not real, in order to have such love forever?

While it isn’t a perfect comparison, to be sure, but that doesn’t negate the idea Entwined is more mythology than fairy tale.

Either way, like any tale featuring a love that seems both perfect and flawed, Entwined leads the viewer through the impenetrable forest to a conclusion that is unexpected (at least, to American eyes), yet completely appropriate and beautiful when viewed from the mythology/fairy-tale POV.

I recommend Entwined if you’re interested in something different, and aren’t afraid of a cultural storytelling different from more conventional context, with a heart-rending ending.