Jacquline Lentzou’s feature film, Moon, 66 Questions, reverses the roles of the parent-children relationship when a child is duty-bound to care for her ailing father. Artemis (Sofia Kokkali) is a young twenty-something forced to rush home after being away for several years. Her father, Paris (Lazaros Georgakopoulos), is discovered alone and left for dead from a mysterious muscular disorder. They think it might be multiple sclerosis.
Designated as Paris’ primary caretaker by the family, Artemis finds herself in an incredibly precarious position. When Artemis was a child, Paris was a stoic, silent father who rarely showed affection or intimacy. Unfortunately, not much has changed, as the shame of his disorder has made the man even more withdrawn. As a result, Artemis is the sole caregiver for her father because she is the only one willing to do it and is given very little support from others — not her mother (Paris’ estranged wife), nor her uncles or cousins.
Thus begins Artemis’ adventure into tending after the father she never knew. In one striking moment, the family observes the physical therapist working with Paris to build his strength and relearn using his muscles to stand up and walk. However, the family soon becomes insistent that Artemis learns how the PT works with her father.
“…Artemis is the sole caregiver for her father because she is the only one willing to do it…”
Moon, 66 Questions shines a massive spotlight on the all-too-common occurrence of adult children caring for the elderly or a disabled parent. Director Lentzou puts Artemis through the literal wringer and pushes her to the point of frustration. She finds quickly that she is not strong enough to lift or carry her father’s full weight. She fights with Paris as he resists his daily injections.
The worst part is she’s alone with a father who won’t speak to her and an extended family who refuses to be inconvenienced and chastises her for complaining about this unfair situation. When she buys a wheelchair for her father, she is again chastised by his doctor for giving up on him, insisting that the wheelchair prevents any chance of Paris from recovering in any way.
The film moves at a slow pace for realism’s sake. Sofia Kokkali plays Artemis as an every-person, making it very easy to stand in her shoes. Kokkali is given very little dialogue; her most dramatic moments are in isolation and silence. Scenes alternate between Artemis and Paris and her alone finding ways to cope with a very unfair situation. The actor brilliantly portrays a woman pushed to her emotional limits, struggling with being alone, and struggling with the demons of her past.
Moon, 66 Questions is a movie made for adult children reluctantly forced into the care of their parents. Lentzou brings their struggle to the big screen with great empathy and introspection, allowing you to know you’re not alone.
Screening information for Moon, 66 Questions can be found at Film Movement.
"…brilliantly portrays a woman pushed to her emotional limits..."
[…] Supply hyperlink […]