Panos H. Koutras’ fourth feature-length film Xenia has been selected to participate at the 67th Cannes International Film Festival, which will take place May 14-25. The film will premiere at Cannes in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ program.
And good news for Australian audiences and lovers of Greek film, with the Greek Film Festival Australia securing his 2009 award winning film Strella.
Xenia tells the story of two brothers, Danny, 16 years old and Odysseas, 18. After the sudden death of their Albanian mother, the boys embark on a journey from Crete to Thessaloniki in order to find their Greek father, who had abandoned them when they were still very young. Foreigners in their own country, they are determined to meet him and be officially recognised by him in order to acquire the much-coveted Greek citizenship. At the same time, they are rehearsing in order to participate in a talent show, which could lead to a better life. On the way, they will realize what binds them together, come to terms with the violence of growing up and try to make their dream come true, while Greece refuses to follow them.
“The film’s participation at the Cannes Film Festival marks a very happy moment on the long and difficult path towards the end of its production. Just like its heroes, the film came up against the harsh contemporary reality of Greece, as well as the inherent difficulties that come with co-productions. I hope this wonderful development, which fills all of us with joy, will mark the beginning of the end of all the film’s difficulties,” Panos H. Koutras said in a statement.
