Haven't seen anything quite like this before. Every plot description I have read focuses on one aspect to the neglect of the others. So here is my take.
First and foremost it is a travel adventure. Through sutile prodding and familiarity, the viewer quickly becomes Djam's travel companion, even more so than Avril, in her mini-Odyssey which takes her from the Greek Island of Lesbos, to Istanbul, over the land border back into Greece (with a wave to Bulgaria). Along the way, the ancient rugged beauty of it all is in full display.
Second, it is a madcap comedy, which draws its comedy not from slapstick, but from the ironic slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. At every bad turn, we are invited to take a path to negativity, but instead are dragged back onto our feet and onto lifetime's next adventure by the sheer joy exuded by Djam. She refuses to be beaten down, or let you be.
Third, this is a sort of Aegean musical. Djam has a for real serious music talent in her voice, play of instruments, and wild woman dancing. Anyone who has spent time with musicians or at folk festivals, will feel right at home. A modern liberated woman Zorba!
Fourth, it is also a cinematic dialectic focusing on where one draws the line, when balancing the thrills and fun in life against responsibility, respect, and lawfulness. Djam can't help but to be a good person, whatever traditional more's she may upset while living.
And finally, a word about Avril. We meet her early on, done dirty by her former boyfriend, and scowling at life as she tries to play through the bad hand fate has dealt her. Pulled into Djam's lifeboat, she isn't sure at first whether that's really a good thing. But she, like us, quickly becomes a fan, forgiving Djam's quirks and foibles. And her scowls give way to smiles.
Anyone who watches this and doesn't smile and chuckle most of the time hasn't suffered enough in life to know how the root for the underdog. I give it a 9, because the subtitles could have been done better.
