Woven is an indie drama film that tells the story of a young Ethiopian woman named Elenie (Salome Mulugeta) who is searching for her long lost father in the United States. She teams up with a struggling white artist named John (Ryan O'Nan) who has his own issues to resolve. They embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-exploration as they face their personal demons, confront their deepest fears, and try to break free from their past.
The film begins in Ethiopia where we see Elenie as a young girl, happily playing with her father. However, her idyllic life is soon interrupted when civil war breaks out and her father is forced to flee the country, abandoning Elenie and her mother. Many years later, Elenie, now grown up and living in the US with her mother, decides to embark on a journey to find him.
Meanwhile, John, a struggling artist who is stuck in a creative rut and unable to make any progress with his work, is dealing with his own personal demons. He is grappling with a past trauma that has left him emotionally scarred and unable to move forward. He is haunted by nightmares and unable to shake off the feeling that he is trapped.
When Elenie and John meet, they form an unlikely bond and decide to embark on a journey together to find Elenie's father. As they travel across the country, they face a series of challenges that force them to confront their past and their present. They are met with racism and prejudice and have to grapple with their own feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy. However, through it all, they develop a deeper understanding of themselves and each other.
The film is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the American landscape and the Ethiopian countryside. The acting is top-notch, with Salome Mulugeta and Ryan O'Nan delivering powerful performances that really bring their characters to life. They have an undeniable chemistry that makes their interactions feel natural and authentic.
Overall, Woven is a moving and poignant film that deals with themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. It tackles complex issues such as immigration, racism, trauma, and mental health, but does so with sensitivity and compassion. It is a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or trapped, and who has struggled to find their place in the world. It is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of empathy and understanding.
Woven is a 2018 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.
