Maya Dardel (2017)

Maya Dardel: Directed by Zachary Cotler, Magdalena Zyzak. With Lena Olin, Lois Drabkin, Chris Voss, Jordan Gavaris. A famous writer announces that she intends to end her life and male writers may compete to become executor of her estate. Men drive up the mountain and are challenged intellectually and erotically, until one discovers Maya’s end game.

“A highly unusual film worth your time for its originality alone.nThe dialog is first class. Its highly intelligent with some deep insights into aging with the weighty knowledge that oneu0026#39;s best years are behind them. This is countered by the examples of youth with their enthusiasm for the future and perhaps ignorance that none of it may come to pass. Such is the stages of life.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe poetry is genuine. Strong. Real merit. The cinematography beautifully done and the direction assured. The music too, by one of the directors I believe, also flawlessly complements the style.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe lead is strong, complex, ironical, paradoxical, controversial. Liking her or not is irrelevant.nSheu0026#39;s a superbly imagined flawed character.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMy only criticisms is that the exchanges are sometimes hard to decipher and I really did want to hear every word. Thereu0026#39;s a lot of wisdom within. Patrica Arquetteu0026#39;s character is sadly a misstep. She seems false.nAside from that, itu0026#39;s so refreshing to find a film that doesnu0026#39;t assume everyone watching is stupid. (Though judging from the rating perhaps they were wrong).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI would watch this again. To take in all those lush shots, every crisp word and that incredible central performance. Its a true testament to the creativity of the filmmakers. A remarkable achievement.”