Meditative

There is a strong whiff of real Cornwall - the place, not the people - coming from this.

Shot on 16mm with grainy filmstock and some burnt edges, hairs in the gate, and other 'faullts' which somewhat detract from the photography - which if done to modern expectations would have been stunning. There is minimal narrative and dialogue and a languid pace with a soundtrack providing a lurking tension.

It does work, but only just - sometimes almost teetering on the edge of being obscure to a fault, or overladen with presumed meaning that is not evident in the exposition.

We believe it must be significant because we can't see the significance, and if there were none then there would be nothing to it. The film just avoids falling into this void (unlike, say, Tarkovsky's Stalker).

It manages a strong sense of place outside of time, with the character and the ghosts of the past (her past, or her heritage) coexisting in the same reality. Defying categorisation - not really drama, or thriller, or horror, or nature film, or psycho-thriller - it stands on its own. You might get something worthwhile out of it if you approach it with an open mind. If you've seen the trailer or are choosing by genre then you'll probably be disappointed.

As a bonus the DVD also contains the 1984 CFTC film "Haunters of the Deep" which inspired Mark Jenkin (the director of Enys Men). A simple story for children and adults it also has a strong sense of Cornwall (circa 1980 and before) and tin mining set a a dramatic narrative. Well worth watching after Enys Men, if you felt you didn't quite 'get' Enys Men this might help.

Poor little rich girl

Ridiculous characters, self centred and not engaged with reality. Filmed in a languid style - lingering shots, swelling music (Tritan & Isolde excerpts), luxuriant setting.

Strong echoes of Alain Resnais Last Year in Marienbad with its existential theme, this one is if anything more tedious and vacuous.

Catholic abuse, deception, consequences

Story 1 - an aspiring actor visits the office of his old schoolfriend to try and get a break into films. He leaves without success but hands over the manuscript of a story he has written.

Story 2 - the directory reads the story ("The Visit") which tells of events in his schooldays. This inspires him to visit his old friend's home town where he learns that his firend has died a couple of years ago. 

Story 3 - the two young boys at school fall in love growing up together, but the priest also has a crush on one boy and uses his power to have the other boy expelled. This boy grows up to become the filmmaker.

Story 4 - the boy who was sexually abused by the priest grows up to become a transexual drug addict. In needs of money he writes the story of his schooldays and visits the priest - now head of the school - to attempt to balckmail him. He is living with his younger brother, Juan, 

Story 5 - Enrique agrees to cast Angel in the film.

I'm confused typing this as I am mixing it up with Official Competition........