Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1997, Canadian)

I have only recently discovered the films of Guy Maddin, and if I were to describe his work to another newbie, I might compare him to Peter Greenaway. If such a comparison indeed holds up, perhaps Twilight is Maddin’s Prospero’s Books - inspired by Greek myth and the director’s own fancy, Twilight takes place in a fairy world where the sun never goes down, and goddesses still seem to have some sway over the lives of their worshippers. Ghastly and beautiful at the same time, the lack of darkness in this imaginary land is the key to both the visual and thematic elements of the story – because sleep can never be entirely peaceful, the inhabitants are unable to dream properly, and therefore pull their nightly fantasies into their waking lives.

More than anything else, Twilight is about he madness of love. The main characters try to find physical and emotional fulfillment with various partners, to no avail, and though it is obvious that Maddin believes in true love, he also seems to believe that it is nearly impossible to find.