[Gardavasque]

Nation: Gardavasque 
Region: International Democratic Union
Film Title: "Kalipso" 
Language: Modern Romanx 
Runtime: 99 Minutes
Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Lead Performance for Timothee Cimino, Best Supporting Performance for Olimpia Pardo
Cast: Jack Henry as Odysseus, Timothee Cimino as Kalipso, Alis Kravale as Athena, Olimpia Pardo as Penelope, and Lawrence Potter as Zeus.
Director: Greer Andrews

Synopsis: 
"Tale as old as time/True as it can be/Barely even friends/Then somebody bends/Unexpectedly." This ancient story from Homer's Odyssey reimagines the tale of Calypso, the Greek nymph who "seduces" the hero Odysseus for 7 years on his journey back home, as a gay fantasia on themes of loneliness, love, sex, commitment, and ultimately love lost. Based on the quasi-autobiographical novel by Arthur Less, of the Russian River School, "Kalipso" was initially labeled a "Magniloquent Spoony" by Eternity Times critics 15 years ago. Despite early attempts to relegate it to the Queer YA section of libraries, the novel has endured and flourished, garnering a cult following with GenZ and inspiring hundreds works of fan fiction published on social media websites. Less and longtime collaborator, Pulitzer-winner Robert Brownburn, successfully transferred this passionate and achingly mesmerizing narrative to the big screen with tour-de-force performances from Jack Henry (Steelman, The Ponytail Archer), Timothee Cimino (Call me a Peach, Doom, Love Michael), Olimpia Pardo (Edge of Disaster), and Lawrence Potter (Father Christmas). Andrews's Kalipso is sensitive as it is erotic, heartwarming as it is desperate, penetratingly masculine at times, but also warm and tender.

Kalipso (Cimino) is young prince banished to the mythical tropical island of Ogygia for refusing an arranged marriage to a beautiful princess. As the months drag on, he grows desperately lonely and contemplates taking his own life. Then one day Kalipso discovers a body lifelessly floating in the water; it is the long-suffering Odysseus (Henry), king of Ithaca and sole survivor of a downed ship stolen from Troy. Kalipso rescues brave Odysseus from the sea by performing rescue breathing and cardiac massage, gradually nursing him back to health. The pair become friends and gradually form intense sexual affair entwined with stories of loss, grief, and anger at the gods. Years pass without hope of ever leaving the island. Kalipso finally succeeds at forming an emotional bond with Odysseus and hints at proposing marriage to him, but Odysseus is reluctant to renounce his wife Penelope (Pardo) whom he dreams about while he and Kapilso make love. Utterly distraught and overcome with a mix of mourning fair Penelope and passion for his new partner, Odysseus prays to the Goddess Athena (Kravale) asking for clarity about what to do. On Mount Olympus, Athena begs the almighty Zeus (Potter) to intercede, noting that it is not Odysseus's destiny to end up with Kalipso. Zeus mercilessly silences her, but ultimately agrees and dispatches Hermes to command Kalipso to allow Odysseus to freely choose his fate. Heartbroken, yet hopeful, Kalipso supplies Odysseus with the tools needed to construct his own ship. Odysseus, emotionally torn, builds the ship, but then asks Kalipso to come with him as his partner. Kalipso flies into a rage, ripping the ship's rudder with his bare hands screaming "You belong with me. I make you happy; you said so yourself. If I return with you to share your home, and your bed, you will never be happy. There is no place in Ithaca for me." Eventually, Odysseus leaves and in the final shot, Kalipso again contemplates taking his own life but just then sees something floating in the water.

Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: Kalipso is nominated for Best Picture for its sensitive portrayal of love between men in a world where it isn't allowed, not even by the gods. Cimino's performance demonstrates an uncommon depth and understanding of the lengths any man will go for the one he loves.