Watch Pause

Pause is a 2018 Greek drama film directed by Tonia Mishiali. The film revolves around the protagonist, Elpida (Stella Fyrogeni), a wife and mother living in Cyprus. She is trapped in a loveless marriage with a controlling, abusive husband, Costas (Andreas Vasileiou). She is in middle age, with her only daughter leaving for university life soon.

Elpida's life is monotonous, and her days passed by serving her husband and her mother in law (Popi Avraam). In her solitude, she finds refuge in her home, where she listens to the radio, sews, and orders from shopping channels on TV. One day, she notices a young man (Andreas Kourtidis), who is her neighbor across the way. This brings a glimpse of hope and warmth in her life as they begin to share fleeting smiles.

As Elpida's connection with her neighbor grows stronger, she begins to question her life, and the life she had always dreamed of but never had the chance to live. The new experiences that she begins to gain, such as laughter, tears, and love, gradually separate her from the world that she once knew. She is slowly discovering the joys of life that she had no idea existed before.

The film is divided into chapters, each of which symbolizes a different phase of the protagonist's life. Each section is calibrated in terms of its visual style and its use of sound. Additionally, the cinematography reflects Elpida's state of mind and is an integral part of the film, working in perfect tandem to depict the nuances of the protagonist's life.

Pause is a touching and melancholic portrayal of a woman's life, struggling to find a balance between cultural and societal norms and her own desires. The film showcases the dichotomy between Elpida's extroverted and introverted self, and her struggle to find a balance between the two.

Director Tonia Mishiali challenges existing prejudices and notions about middle-aged women's sexuality, love and embraces the desires of a woman, who is often considered past her prime years.

The film won several international awards such as the Grand Nile Prize at the Luxor African Film Festival, the Best Directorial Debut Award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, among others. It was also selected to screen at prestigious film festivals such as the London Film Festival, the Cairo International Film Festival, and the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.

In summary, Pause is a poignant, must-watch movie that deals with complex themes such as self-doubt, love, and acceptance. The film showcases the transformation of the protagonist as she moves from a life of solitude and stagnation to one of acceptance and joy, with an unmatched and beautiful portrayal of a woman's journey.