Set in 1883, Cynara: Poetry in Motion is a short romantic drama that unfolds in the isolated English village of Baycliff by the Irish Sea.
The story centers on two women: Cynara, a solitary and exiled sculptor, and Byron, a grieving poet who has recently arrived from Paris. Their chance meeting on a haunting shoreline sparks an immediate and profound connection that begins with shared intellectual interests and evolves into a passionate romance.
As their bond deepens, they spend their days riding horses along the coast, playing chess, and finding solace in each other's presence. Byron’s poetic spirit inspires Cynara’s art, while Cynara becomes the muse for Byron’s writing. This mutual creative inspiration serves as the foundation for a "lesbian Wuthering Heights" narrative, where the characters navigate the tension between their private desires and the rigid social expectations of Victorian society.
The film utilizes a unique visual style to represent their inner worlds: Cynara’s fantasies of physical passion are depicted in black and white, while Byron’s are shown in vivid color. Eventually, they overcome the barriers of respectability to fully express their love for one another. Film Details Cynara: Poetry in Motion (Short 1996) - IMDb
Cynara: Poetry in Motion is a 1996 short romantic drama film directed and written by Nicole Conn
. Set in 1883 in the isolated English village of Baycliff, the film explores the blossoming passion between two women: , a lonely sculptor, and , a writer visiting from Paris Film Overview Nicole Conn Johanna Nemeth as Cynara and Melissa Hellman as Byron Romance, Drama, Erotic Approximately 40 minutes
Original language is English; no official Arabic ("mtrjm") full translation is currently documented in major databases, though it is often sought on niche streaming sites. Plot Summary fylm cynara poetry in motion 1996 mtrjm kaml fasl alany new
In the Victorian era, the two women develop a deep bond through shared activities like horseback riding, chess, and intellectual conversation. Byron becomes Cynara's muse as she sculpts, while Cynara inspires Byron’s writing. This artistic connection evolves into a passionate and sensual romance, noted for its lush imagery and poetic narration. Where to Watch
The film is available on several platforms, particularly those focusing on LGBTQ+ content: Streaming: You can find it on Amazon Prime Video (via OutTV or Here TV add-ons), Community perspectives are available on Letterboxd or more information on the director's other work Claire of the Moon Cynara: Poetry in Motion (Short 1996) - IMDb
Cynara: Poetry in Motion (1996) is a 40-minute romantic short film directed by Nicole Conn , known for her work on Claire of the Moon
. Set in the Victorian era (specifically 1883), it explores the intense intellectual and physical connection between two women in a remote English seaside village. Film Overview Characters : The story follows
(played by Johanna Nemeth), a lonely sculptor living in the village of Baycliff, and
(Melissa Hellman), a visitor from Paris seeking peace from a troubled past. The Narrative Set in 1883, Cynara: Poetry in Motion is
: The two women quickly form a deep bond, spending time riding horses on the beach and playing chess. This friendship evolves into a passionate love affair, with both women serving as each other's artistic muses—Byron for Cynara’s sculpture and Cynara for Byron’s poetry. Visual Style : The film uses experimental visual techniques, including black-and-white dream sequences to represent Cynara's fantasies and color sequences
for Byron's. There is a total absence of dialogue, with the story told through narration, poetry, and imagery. Themes and Inspiration Literary Roots : The film draws its title and emotional core from Ernest Dowson’s famous poem, "Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae"
, which explores themes of haunting memories and faithful longing. Eroticism vs. Romance
: While many viewers praise the film for being one of the most romantic and erotic lesbian films of its time, director Nicole Conn has stated the film was intentionally "over the top" to maintain a lush, lush quality. Anachronisms
: Observant critics have noted several historical inaccuracies, such as the characters smoking filtered cigarettes
(invented decades later in 1925) and reading Lord Byron's poetry, though the setting is nearly 60 years after his death. Production Credits Director/Writer : Nicole Conn. Production Company : Demi-Monde Productions. Release Date : June 20, 1996. Despite its low budget and technical flaws, Part 5: The “New” Re-release – A Contemporary
remains a cult favorite for its atmospheric cinematography and its rare focus on a period-piece lesbian romance designed specifically for a female audience. Letterboxd by Nicole Conn or find where you can this short film today? Cynara: Poetry in Motion (Short 1996) - IMDb
The presence of “new” at the end of the keyword suggests that as of 2024–2026, someone has recovered and reintroduced Fylm Cynara. Potential platforms:
Alternatively, “new” could refer to a generative AI reinterpretation of the 1996 work. Since 2024, AI video models have allowed users to “reanimate” lost films by training on descriptions. If an Arab digital artist prompted a model with “Cynara poetry in motion 1996 style with Arabic/English subtitles and translator’s notes,” the resulting output could be labeled “new.”
Beyond the 1982 documentary Poetry in Motion (featuring Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman), the phrase “poetry in motion” in 1996 described a visual style: lyrical editing, rhythmic voiceover, and emotionally charged static shots.
If Cynara (1996) truly embodies this, expect:
The 1996 indie scene was obsessed with such atmospherics. Think Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love (2000) moved back four years — a predecessor in mood.
As of now, there is no official commercial release of Cynara: Poetry in Motion. A fan-restored version labeled “Cynara 1996 – Complete + Season 2 New Subtitled” circulates via private trackers and Telegram channels. However, its provenance is uncertain — some claim it’s a hoax, others a lost student film from the American University of Beirut.
Based on available digital poetry archives from the 1990s, particularly works from the Arab Digital Art Foundation (unverified listing), we can imagine Fylm Cynara as having these features: