SYNOPSIS
Elpida, a middle aged housewife, is tormented by an oppressive and loveless marriage with a man who no longer considers her feelings and desires. When a young painter is employed to paint the building she lives in, Elpida’s monotonous life is surreptitiously disrupted, and her imagination starts to flourish as she attempts to reconcile the unquenchable desires of her body with the stern coldness of her husband she no longer loves. Losing herself deeper and deeper within the fantasies that she now prefers to her true surroundings, Elpida’s perception of reality is called into question and the truth begins to fade away.
STILLS
STATEMENTS
“This is my debut feature film, and kind of a personal one. I was inspired by images that were imprinted in my mind, and events that I experienced growing up in Cyprus within a patriarchal society, watching the women in my family and all other women around me living on the side-lines, with the main purpose of their lives serving their spouse and children. My feelings towards this social and family context, and the stories that surround it, are very strong because unfortunately even today thousands of women in Cyprus, Greece, and many other countries around the world still live in similar situations, unable to find their own voice and fight for their rights. I have always been sensitive to women’s issues and equality, while I have been particularly interested in exploring the decadent relationships in marriage. I wanted to make a film that is viewed through the prism of a complex and fascinating female character, fighting against the loss of one’s voice, the longing for love and all unquenchable desires. In approaching the film’s style, I wanted to make the viewer sink into the protagonist’s ‘reality’, so I decided to prevent the focus from shifting away from the main character. At a time when women in film are misrepresented, I also wanted this film to depict a female character that is very much real, and we worked with a talented local crew, featuring significant female participation in many key positions.”
- Tonia Mishiali, Director
“This is filmmaking at it’s very finest. Tonia delves into the mind of one very real and specific, yet small and fictional character, in order to say something truthful and grand about the entire nature of human relationships, or at least about oppressive ones. ‘Pause’ is an enlightening feature for those looking to expand their political, personal, and cinematic horizons all at the same time.”
- Subliminal Films
- Tonia Mishiali, Director
“This is filmmaking at it’s very finest. Tonia delves into the mind of one very real and specific, yet small and fictional character, in order to say something truthful and grand about the entire nature of human relationships, or at least about oppressive ones. ‘Pause’ is an enlightening feature for those looking to expand their political, personal, and cinematic horizons all at the same time.”
- Subliminal Films
BIOGRAPHIES
Tonia Mishiali (Director) is a Cypriot director, scriptwriter, and producer who loves making films that deal with social and women’s issues. She is a member of the European Film Academy, the European Women's Audiovisual Network, the Berlinale Talents Alumna, and one of the artistic directors of Cyprus Film Days International Festival, having also served as vice president and board member of the Directors Guild of Cyprus. Her short films ‘Dead End’ (2013) and ‘Lullaby of the Butterfly’ (2014) competed in more than 60 international film festivals together, including Locarno, Palm Springs, Cork, Busan, Dresden, Sarajevo, Encounters, and Drama, while winning several awards for Best Director and Best Film.
Stela Fyrogeni (Elpida) was born in Germany and grew up in Thessaloniki, Greece. She graduated with excellency from the Drama School of the National Theatre of Greece, where she studied improvisation, expressive movement, and vocals. Stela, an animal rights supporter and pescatarian, works in theatre and cinema as an actress and singer, and has been awarded for her performances. She believes in kindness and respect for nature, ourselves, and others, and that good nutrition is key to our health.
Stela Fyrogeni (Elpida) was born in Germany and grew up in Thessaloniki, Greece. She graduated with excellency from the Drama School of the National Theatre of Greece, where she studied improvisation, expressive movement, and vocals. Stela, an animal rights supporter and pescatarian, works in theatre and cinema as an actress and singer, and has been awarded for her performances. She believes in kindness and respect for nature, ourselves, and others, and that good nutrition is key to our health.
CAST
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Stela Fyrogeni
Andreas Vasiliou Popi Avraam Andrey Pilipenko Marios Ioannou Georgina Tatsi Prokopis Agathokleous Marina Mandri |
Elpida
Costas Eleftheria Painter Doctor Irini Young Man Young Woman |
CREW
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Tonia Mishiali
Tonia Mishiali Andros Achilleos Stelana Kliris Tonia Mishiali Ioanna Soultani Anna Fotiadou Yorgos Rahmatoulin Lydia Mandridou Marios Neocleous Christy Polydorou Kyriaki Melidou Marios Neofytou Marinos Charalambous Alexia Roider Emilios Avraam Alexis Kapidakis Julian Scherle Christos Kyriakoullis Costas Varibopiotis Panagiotis Mina Nasia Demetriou A.B. Seahorse Film Productions Soul Productions |
Writer
Director Producer Producer Producer Co-Producer Co-Writer Director of Photography Production Designer Art Director Costume Designer Make-up Artist Hair Artist Production Manager First Assistant Director Editor Colorist Original Music Sound Post Production Sound Mix Photographer Poster Design Production Company Co-Production Company |