Writer, director and producer Tamas Levardi resurrects figures from an ancient time, breathing life and legend into their souls. We follow two siblings and their father as they make their way across a barren landscape.
Tragedy befalls the trio when Enna and Aehd’s father, Duncan, succumbs to his ails. Now alone, the two siblings must forge their own paths. But they have different visions of what this looks like. Their father’s task must be fulfilled. Will they do as he intended and ask for more time to provide the offering that ensures peace between their nation and the Roman invaders? Or will they refuse to bow to the demands of a vicious empire and risk sacrificing their lives instead. Enna chastises her brother for believing the latter to be the right course of action, knowing it will just lead to more bloodshed and suffering.
But when they arrive at the meeting point, it becomes clear to Enna that Aehd’s plan of refusing to continue making offerings to the Romans is already underway. The betrayal Aehd bestows upon Enna and their father reflects the ruthlessness of trying to protect a country at all cost. As she predicted, Aehd pays with his life.
The death of her brother and father do not extinguish the embers burning within Enna. Instead they ignite them. A warrior is born. A bloody fight between the Enna and the two Roman generals ensues. Justice for her family will be served. And then comes revenge. The woman narrating the film is an older Enna. She has grown to become the fearless leader of an army.
There is much to be impressed by in Levardi’s film. The period costume design fits in well with the vast landscape of the setting. The characters and costumes are drawn together by Levardi’s writing as he also crafts the linguist elements of his film to match the time. Maya Katherine as Enna is bold and captivating as she performs with a strength reminiscent of the great warrior, Boudica. Nikolas Balfe as Aehd and James Wingate as Duncan both perform strongly within the narrative. Rob Horrocks as the Roman general has brings a vicious brutality his role as a power-crazed leader.
The editing of the film is particularly commendable as the use of slow motion adds extra impact to the well-choreographed fight scenes. This really gives the viewer time to zero in on the character’s emotions. The original musical score, composed by Michele Masin, also adds a great deal of weight to the emotion of the film. His music runs as an undercurrent through the narrative almost as a character in its own right.
An ancient tale of betrayal, rage and uprising. Watch the full film below.