Feature Film
Entwined
Directed by 
Minos Nikolakakis
AFIN 2021 Finalist
- 2021
- 1h 28m
-
Greece - English, Modern Greek (1453-)
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Mystery
Stills
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Credits
Written by
Produced by
Synopsis
City doctor Panos, a rationalist, offers his services in a remote village. He falls in love with peasant girl Danae, despite the opposition of superstitious villagers and her old father who guards her fiercely in an isolated farmhouse, as she suffers from a rare condition that causes her skin to resemble tree bark. Panos intervenes and takes the old man away. He finds himself living a rural life with Danae; time stands still in the dreamlike paradise he now inhabits but though only weeks pass he's growing much older.Danae is not human but a tree spirit that needs the youth of others in order not to turn into a tree. She struggles with her love for him and her own survival as she believes that Panos (unlike her previous lovers) is destined to heal her from her never-ending torment.
Director's Statement
Entwined is inspired by Balkan legends and their rural customs dealing with the supernatural, which will be subtly used to highlight the story’s human aspects. Οur intention is to present a mystical story that feels familiar yet unique both in its execution and setting. Set in a unique landscape - the birthplace of many ancient Greek myths - it's the story of a doctor who falls in love with a tree spirit. This is the meeting point of two worlds; An expanding modern world and an ancient one; rationalism against nature’s mysticism or the elaborate mind versus the animal instinct. These “Worlds“ must accept their differences otherwise they will suffer terrible consequences. This story is more contemporary than ever. We have an ambiguous complex relationship with nature, something emphasised in the Western cultures. Inspired by an ancient truth, it reminds us of what we often ignore, even when it is so evident.
What makes this one special
- One of just 2 films from Greece across eight seasons
- A first-time filmmaker
Director's Biography
Minos Nikolakakis Director
Minos Nikolakakis has been producing/directing films since 2000. They focus on themes of cultural heritage, myth and magic realism. They have participated in international festivals (including LA Shorts Fest, Cinemed Montpellier, Uppsala and Flickers Fest), they have had a theatrical release and have received awards. They were supported by the Greek Broadcaster ERT SA. His short The Attic (2012) was screened in Egbert Baque Contemporary Art Gallery Berlin: David Bowie Exhibition. They have been used as a teaching medium in seminars at the department of Film Studies in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has produced features and documentaries. He has studied engineering and worked as a Civil Engineer in order to support his passion for filmmaking. He is currently in post-production of his first feature Entwined that received the CineLink award of the pack-and-pitch program of the 2014 Sarajevo Film Festival's Talent Lab and was a jury member at the following edition.
