“They are really interesting films in the way they changed the way the cinema was produced in the country. The films that have been chosen are extremely important in the sense they show the direction orientation and also the dilemmas of Greek cinema. I think they are indicative and some of them are landmark films like From the Edge of the City, they changed the way of the image of Greek cinema worldwide not just in Greece themselves. Some of these gave completely international perspective to Greek cinema.”
– Professor Vrasidas Karalis on the Best of Program.
Bonus (Εφάπαξ, 2001 Dir. Nikos Zapatinas)
Garbage collector Pantelis (Petstros Philippidis) is staring down the barrel of a decent retirement package after 25 years of service for the Municipality of Athens. His wife (Aspasia Tzitzikaki) and mother-in-law (Maria Martika) also have their eyes fixed firmly on his prize. In a turn-of-character, the usually submissive Pantelis decides to take the money and run. His impulse leads him to Peloponnese, Santorini and finally Normandy, while a motley crew of gold-diggers stays hot on his trail.
A Touch of Spice (Πολίτικη Κουζίνα, 2003 – Dir. Tassos Boulmetis)
A young Greek boy named Fanis (Georges Corraface) grows up in Istanbul where his soul is filled with the teachings of his grandfather (Tassos Bandis), a culinary philosopher. Fanis becomes an exceptional cook himself, using his skills to bring joy to others. But, it is only when he returns to Istanbul 35 years later that he realises he forgot to add spice to his own life.
Balkanisateur (Βαλκανιζατέρ, 1997 – Dir. Sotiris Goritsas)
As far as road trips go, Balkanisateur is a tragi-comic one that follows friends, Fotis (Stelios Mainas) and Stavros (Gerasimos Skiadaresis), on a misguided highway to Switzerland. Their get-rich-quick plan is to use their Greek drachmas to buy Bulgarian currency and then exchange it for Swiss dollars. Of course, in the manner of all best-laid plans, their dream goes up in smoke.
Beware of Greeks Bearing Guns (Fovou tous Ellines… 2000 – Dir. John Tatoulis)
When some elderly Cretans in Melbourne recognise prosperous businessman Vassilis (Alexis Anthopoulos), they ignite a personal vendetta from 1943 that saw grandmother Maria (Tasso Kavadia) vow to avenge the killing of her husband. Now that she’s an old yiayia, the task falls on the shoulders of her grandsons – one a mild-mannered schoolteacher, the other a macho lout.
From the Edge of the City (Από την Άκρη της Πόλης, 1998 – Dir. Constantine Giannaris)
Sporting a flesh-exposed cast of beautiful, body-sculptured actors, From the Edge of the City is “an anti-travelogue to a little-known corner of East European chaos” (Bright Lights Film) i.e. the immigrant rent-boys of Athens. For the Kazakhstani youth of Menidi – a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Athens – clubbing, drugs, prostitution and petty thievery is an everyday part of life. For their leader, Sasha (Stathos Papadopoulos), this is just a transient stepping-stone to a better one, although his dreams appear out of reach when their lives collide with a ruthless world around them.
Female Company (Θηλυκή Εταιρία, 1999 – Dir. Nicos Perakis)
Six emotionally-deprived, sexually-underrated wives discover the only things they have in common are perms, card games and the shady business interests of their husbands who are – more or less – influential citizens of the country town in which they live. One day, the ‘female company’ decides to move from the inner sanctum of a girlfriend’s hair salon to the apartment of a well-heeled ‘close friend’. Amorous activities abound, and a corrupt private eye threatens to expose their illicit affairs online. The consequences of his actions are disastrous.
One Day in August (Δεκαπενταύγουστος, 2001 Dir. Constantine Giannaris)
Filmmaker Constantinos Giannaris weaves together different stories, each depicting a mother-child relationship, that occur concurrently over 24 hours on the Greek national holiday marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – that one day in August (15th). Against a warm and seductive summer landscape, the residents of an apartment block escape Athens for the last hurrah of the season. While they enjoy their holiday, a 17 year-old burglar breaks into their empty homes and, through his eyes, we see the dark side of their sunny existence – hidden desires and telling secrets.
Totally Married (Γαμηλια Ναρκη, 2003 – Dir. Dimitris Indares)
Thomas (Fanis Mouratidis) and Lily (Natalia Stylianou) are a couple aged in their mid-30s with a young son (Leonidas Leonidakos). They are also caught in a marriage rut. The sudden departure of their housekeeper sets off a chain of explosive situations, which leads Thomas to hire Irina (Anna Dimitrievitc) – a 23 year-old hooker with a heart of gold – to care for their son and home.
In Good Company ( ΕΝΑΣ & ΕΝΑΣ, 2000 – Dir. Nikos Zapatinas)
A madman (Giorgos Kimoulis) and a petty criminal (Nikos Kalogeropoulos) are each given leave: The former to see the outside world and the latter to attend his mother’s funeral. Or so they are told.
Their fortunes and worlds collide, along with their cars, in the middle of nowhere. Little do they know, but an over-sexed psychiatrist and his attractive assistant are observing their movements as part of a study into behavioural patterns, as well as two cops hoping to locate a stash hidden by the petty criminal.