Sisyphus Unbound (2023) Sly Mythology

Sisyphus Unbound (2023) is a sly dramatic ode to Greek Mythology. Written and directed by Ryan Fleming (My Best Nut) and starring Timothy J Cox as Professor Layman, Frederick J. Todd as Virgil and Emerson Adams as Gwen Layman this short film is nothing but creative.

The sly mythology references; Sisyphus (A.K.A Virgil – the poet) displeasing Zeus (Professor Layman). Therefore Virgil turns to an outside source for relief from his, apparently, eternal battle with the “prof.” This pleasant reference to Greek mythology with a nod to Roman literature is Ryan’s answer to the Winterfilm Festival X tasking for entry.

Props (mechanical pencil) and Theme (percentage) prompted Ryan Fleming to come up with this delightful offering. Cox, as Layman, is a nasty bit of work. Although to be fair who has not vented angrily at the any student’s frequent misunderstanding of Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter? Layman is exactly as Cox portrays him; a posturing, self aggrandizing door stop. The professor firmly believes that tenure grants rudeness and a overall sense of self importance. In other words: Zeus.

Virgil (Todd) is a combination of stress and quiet, almost timid, confidence. He is Sisyphus (Not yet Unbound.) who has an eternal struggle to get his work Sysphus Unbound past Fleming. He is the very picture of calm reticence. The very fact that he turns in the project written with mechanical pencil shows a sly fortitude that can only be admired.

Adams is Gwen, daughter of Layman (Zeus) and the polar opposite of her dear doting dad. Gwen would be Athena in Greek Mythology and therefore could be a fierce defender of Virgil’s mechanical pencil offering.

Sisyphus Unbound is an intimate look at the writing process in its latter phases. It uses Greek Mythology, with a sly reference to a Roman poet, to show that there is indeed more than one way to undress a feline. MAFIA Productions steps up successfully to the challenge given by Winterfilm.

Arming himself with an excellent cast Fleming cannot fail and indeed does not. Cox never fails to impress and Todd is perfect as Virgil. On a side note: Adams delights as a breath of fresh air with her natural delivery of what can only be described as a cameo length role.

This creator manages to deliver on so many levels that it impresses as well as entertains. The running time of just over 7 minutes is just right and once it finishes the festival circuit will be well worth viewing.

Sisyphus Unbound is a full 5 star film.