Italian
A Journey into the Unknown: Bearcave’s Romantic Adventure
A tale of friendship and betrayal
In the heart of rural Greece, a mystical cave, a nettle pie, and an unexpected betrayal set the stage for a romantic adventure between two childhood friends in Bearcave. This feature-length debut, co-written and directed by Stergios Dinopoulos and Krysianna Papadakis, promises to captivate audiences with its unique storytelling.
Introducing the newest talents
Bearcave stars newcomers Xara Kyriazi and Pamela Oikonomaki. Despite being in the post-production phase, this film has already made waves by winning the top prize in the Works in Progress section at the Thessaloniki Film Festival’s industry program. It is an accomplishment for the production team, which includes Dinopoulos, Papadakis, Arsinoi Pilou, Thanasis Michalopoulos of Greece’s Pameligo Collective, and Emily Sky Hickin of Pucci Productions UK.
From short film to feature
The roots of Bearcave lie in Dinopoulos and Papadakis’ 2023 short film of the same name. This short achieved significant acclaim, winning the Golden Dionysus for Best Film at Greece’s Drama Short Film Festival and showcasing at the Athens Intl. Film Festival and BFI Flare. The transition from short to feature has heightened expectations, given its prior success.
Plot overview: A friendship tested
The film centers on Argiro, a “badass farmer” played by Kyriazi, and her best friend Anneta, a manicurist and local “It” girl portrayed by Oikonomaki. Living in a remote mountain village in northern Greece, their imminent separation looms as Anneta plans to start a new life in the city with her policeman boyfriend. Before she leaves, the two embark on a hike to a mystical bear cave, a landmark that has fascinated them since childhood. This journey sets off a chain of surprising betrayals, testing their lifelong friendship and unearthing their true feelings.
Exploring unseen perspectives
According to the creators, Bearcave provides an unseen perspective into the lives of two young queer women in Greece. It explores their relationship with a blend of youth, light, and humor, contrasting the typically dark and suffering narrative often associated with rural queer experiences.
A friendship-turned-collaboration
The film’s inception is deeply rooted in the friendship between Dinopoulos and Papadakis, who met at Harvard. Both returned to Greece during the pandemic, described as a ”back-to-the-roots moment.” Fueled by a desire to create, they embarked on this project, initially envisioned as a “self-contained, experimental, easy, low-budget project.” The short film was a product of their passion, crowdfunded and shot in under six weeks, which Dinopoulos describes as a ”fever dream.”
Commitment to Greek roots
A pivotal moment for both filmmakers, the project solidified their commitment to staying in Greece. Dinopoulos abandoned plans for graduate school in the US, and together they nurtured the idea into a full-fledged feature. Financing came from the Pameligo Collective, with backing from the Greek Film Center’s micro-budget financing scheme, and collaboration with Hickin of Pucci Productions.
Cultivating a creative collective
The Pameligo Collective was created to offer “a new perspective on the process and politics of filmmaking,” following a grassroots, collectivist approach. This collaborative model emphasizes respect and parity in the production process, resonating with Greg Kwedar’s approach used in Sing Sing. The collective aims to continue fostering this environment for future projects.
A festival triumph
The Thessaloniki Film Festival, running from Oct. 31 to Nov. 10, provided the perfect platform for Bearcave to gain industry recognition. This achievement marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey for the film and its creators.
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