BEARCAVE

Synopsis

Set in the Greek mountain village of Tirna, Bearcave follows Argyro, a badass farmer, and her best friend Anneta, the village “It” girl and local manicurist. Once Anneta admits that she’s pregnant and planning to leave town with her lame cop boyfriend, Argyro challenges Anneta to embark on an adventure to find the mystical bear cave. Before Argyro has a chance to confess her own love, Anneta leaves for her new life in the big city, leaving Argyro broken behind. Meanwhile, in her new home with her clingy mother-in-law, Anneta quickly realises her destiny lies elsewhere.

Statement of the directors

BEARCAVE, our debut feature, is a genre-blending love odyssey beating with the heart of Balkan mountain folklore.
It shows an unseen perspective on the lives of two queer women in Greece. It explores their relationship through the lens of youth, light and humour, in contrast to the darkness and suffering in the lives of rural queer people we have come to expect.
This film represents a fresh perspective on the process and politics of filmmaking: conceived through grassroots, collectivist approach, in harmony with the “divine feminine” and nature. This is an independent film, shot in the houses of our grandmothers, with a young, women-led team, by a cohort of talented emerging Greek filmmakers.

Review

Screen International Review