The director of Eternity And A Day, Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos, has begun a new trilogy that he calls an "elegy on human fate". Created as a poetic summary of the 20th century, it takes as its subject the mythical tales of Oedipus Rex and Seven Against Thebes.

It begins by introducing you to a young woman, Eleni (Alexandra Aidini), who, in the wilds of Odessa in 1919, lives in a small village, populated by frugal, but hard-working, settlers. Intended in marriage to a man 40 years her senior, it is perhaps not surprising that she elopes with his son (Nikos Poursadinis), who is Eleni's age and in love with her. They will head away from the village to a much larger town, aided by musicians who would have played at the doomed wedding, and this is just the beginning of a film that will end eventually in present-day New York.

It is something of a breakthrough for Angelopoulos, or an act of bravery, since this is the first time for 35 years that he has made his pivotal figure a woman. The last time he did so was in Reconstruction (1970).

The Weeping Meadow is notable for its fine visuals. It looks simply marvellous, with a purity and pace that suits its wide angle.

It isn't going to be for everyone, however. Many, unused to this kind of filmmaking, might prefer something with greater pace and more humour, but it has genuine authenticity, reasonable dialogue and fair performances.

It feels like one of those epic stories, such as Once Upon A Time In America, that will eventually find a point of significance unique to itself. You just have to be patient and wait for the trilogy to unfold.