An immersive Greek drama from writer/director Jacqueline Lentzou, Moon, 66 Questions is a film that immerses rather than explains as a daughter reconnects with her ill father. Sofia Kokkali plays daughter Artemis, returning from France full of pent-up energy and disappointment to care for father Paris (Lazaros Georgakopoulos). Suffering from multiple sclerosis, his movement impaired and his speech sporadic, there seems to be plenty Paris wants to say – but he is consumed with stubborn resentment and pride.
As the very slow-paced story unfolds, they grow closer, especially after exposure to a family secret causes a low-key seismic shift in the father/daughter relationship. Languidly captured and occasionally rather too indulgent, this is still nevertheless affecting storytelling from Lentzou. The dynamics of Paris and Artemis’ family are skimmed over: its other members decide on care for their ill relative, while Paris’ wife wants little to do with her husband and visiting relatives party and play ping pong as Artemis tends to the needs of her father.
Long closeups of faces and takes of Paris struggling with his MS place us voyeuristically in the centre of their relationship. Artemis’ feelings of being trapped into caring for her father are released through dancing or driving a car within the confines of a garage. Kokkali and Georgakopoulos are both excellent – always watchable, holding attention as Lentzou keeps the camera rolling.
Moon, 66 Questions is a slight film given nuance by what is kept hidden. Lentzou intersperses home video footage, occasional voiceover, references to the moon’s cycle, Greek mythology and unnecessary chapter headings with tarot cards, creating a very singular world and a climactic scene that moves with its cumulative simplicity.
Dir: Jacqueline Lentzou (15, 108 mins)
Moon, 66 Questions out on Fri 24 June
words KEIRON SELF
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