As time goes on, the Woman (unnamed) wanders around the island. Fragments and pieces of the place's history are strewn about or in a state of disrepair: a church, a mine and the remains of ship wreckage. There's a large standing stone looming over her small home that has taken on an almost human appearance. A few times, The Woman passes behind the rock and disappears from view, as if she were absorbed into it. The isle has seen boats and seamen come and go – and sometimes never pass by intact. The Woman also sees phantoms – a young girl, a Priest, male workers, a baby, a group of maidens etc.. Are they real? Is the Woman one or more of them? Jenkins isn't interested in answers, as much as evoking mysteries.
Soon the flowers begin to show symptoms of lichen – a combination of fungus and algae that is consuming much of the habitat. ENYS MEN has its roots in folklore and there are even bits of body horror.
Jenkins and his very small team create their own world. The physical movie itself is like an artifact from the 70s. It's shot on purposely grainy 16mm in the old school 1:33 aspect ratio. Jenkins also did the Cinematography, Editing and Score. Further, it's as if the whole film itself is an heirloom – a physical print with scratches, splices and even hairs in the gate. Is the print actually a movie or does it represent the woman's consciousness? Has it preserved actual events or just her memories and those of the villagers and seamen who have passed?
ENYS MEN is a film to be experienced and contemplated. It won't satisfy those who want clear explanations, but, it's the kind of film that haunts the soul.
ENYS MEN is currently available to stream on Hulu and Kanopy (free w/library card). It's on Blu Ray and DVD.
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