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Wisconsin Premiere • narrative • Cyprus,Greece • 2018 • DCP • Greek with English subtitles • 96 MIN

section: New Women Directors, New International Cinema

On the island of Cyprus, Elpida sits stonefaced as her doctor recites the symptoms of aging, an increasingly bleak litany that seems to cover every aspect of her being. By the time his absurdly grim monologue ends, it's become funny, a good indication of the dark wit running through this portrait of a housewife on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Back at home, she fantasizes about finally lashing out at her domineering husband—at least, she thinks they’re only fantasies. First-time director Tonia Mishiali exhibits a remarkable tonal precision, keeping us glued to Elpida's increasingly cracked perspective, while unsure in the moment as to whether what we are seeing is real or imagined. "A work of considerable tonal complexity, as it stirs moments of pitch-black humor and short and violent reveries into an otherwise austerely told tale of spousal strife that wants to smash the patriarchy with feats of cinematic derring-do" (The Hollywood Reporter). FIPRESCI Award, 2018 Thessaloniki Film Festival. (MK)