Kyuka: Before Summer's End

After enduring two hours at a festival screening, waiting in vain for the film to offer even a semblance of narrative or purpose, I can only advise others to avoid this title altogether. What presents itself as artful or profound is, in reality, an utterly irrelevant, painfully self-indulgent and excruciatingly dull exercise in cinematic vanity. The film is so incoherent and nonsensical that one is left wondering whether the filmmakers were in any state to grasp what they were attempting to create. It is baffling how such a misguided and absurd piece of work finds its way into any curated programme.

Director Kostis Charamountanis presents a refreshing tale of the family drama genre without cheap sentimentalism but with a good realistic heart and soul. Filled with gorgeous camerawork, soundtrack and atmosphere, Charamountanis successfully captures a summer tale about family, sailing across the Greek oceans, fish eating, and the character dynamics. Each of the dynamics between father and children, the dialogue and the realistic approach to it's subject was well executed. Without feeling forced, cheesy or all over the place.

Alongside with some good editing choices and Charamountanis's direction, the performances from all the cast members are really good as their emotions, personality, and character choices were engaging and realistic.

Certainly, it isn't a masterpiece as I would have wished certain elements of the story could have been a bit stronger. But for what the movie is, it's a good Greek family drama.