Greek-Language Films

Poster for Never on Sunday

Main actors: Melina Mercouri, Jules Dassin

The film revolves around two central characters:

Ilya: A free-spirited and independent prostitute living in the bustling port city of Piraeus, Greece. She's known for her charm, wit, and refusal to set a price for her services.

Homer Thrace: An American anthropologist and classicist who arrives in Greece with the intention of studying the decline of Greek culture. He sees Ilya as a prime example of this decline and sets out to "reform" her.

The plot unfolds as Homer becomes increasingly infatuated with Ilya, despite his initial disapproval of her lifestyle. He attempts to teach her about morality and the virtues of ancient Greece, while Ilya, in turn, tries to loosen Homer's rigid and uptight nature, encouraging him to embrace the joys of life and love.

Through their interactions, the film offers a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on cultural differences, the nature of morality, and the pursuit of happiness. Ultimately, it's a celebration of individuality and the enduring spirit of the Greek people.

Won an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Taverna").

Locations included Piraeus, the , and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

You can buy the DVD of Never on Sunday on Amazon.

Poster for Zorba the Greek

Main actors: Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas

The story follows a reserved English writer, often referred to simply as "the narrator," who travels to Crete to oversee a lignite mine he has inherited. There, he encounters Alexis Zorba, a boisterous, life-loving Cretan worker.

Zorba's infectious enthusiasm for life is a stark contrast to the narrator's intellectual and introspective nature. As they work together to revitalize the mine, the two men form an unlikely friendship. Zorba introduces the narrator to the sensual pleasures of life, from dancing and feasting to passionate love. In return, the narrator brings a certain order and rationality to Zorba's chaotic existence.

The film is filled with rich characters, stunning Cretan landscapes, and a powerful exploration of themes like life, death, love, and the search for meaning. The iconic final scene, where Zorba and the narrator dance together on the beach, has become a symbol of the film's celebration of life and human connection.

Won three Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction).

Locations on Crete included Chania for the city scenes, the village of Kokkino Chorio in the Apokoronas region for village scenes, and the beach of Stavros on the Akrotiri peninsula for Zorba’s famous dancing sequence.

You can buy Zorba the Greek on DVD at Amazon.

Poster for The Travelling Players

Main actors: Manos Katrakis, Aliki Vougiouklaki

The Travelling Players is a sweeping historical epic that follows a theatrical troupe as they journey through Greece from 1939 to 1952. The film intertwines the personal stories of the actors with the tumultuous events shaping the nation.

The central narrative revolves around a group of actors performing the classic Greek drama "Golfo," a tale of unrequited love. However, the film is as much about the actors' lives as it is about the play. We witness their struggles, triumphs, and losses as they navigate the challenges of life on the road, while the backdrop of war, occupation, and civil war unfolds around them.

The film offers a poignant portrayal of the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. It's a cinematic tapestry that blends personal drama, historical events, and the power of theater into a powerful and moving experience. Won multiple Greek film awards.

The film was made in and around the village of Aiglio on the Gulf of Corinth, on the northern coast of the Peloponnese.

Poster for Rembetiko

Main actors: Manos Katrakis, Giorgos Kourouni

Rembetiko is a powerful musical drama that chronicles the life of a young woman named Marika against the tumultuous backdrop of 20th-century Greece. The film is a poignant exploration of the rise and evolution of rembetiko music, a genre born out of the suffering and resilience of the Greek people.

Marika's journey mirrors the trajectory of rembetiko itself, as she rises from a troubled childhood to become a celebrated singer. The film delves into the world of taverns, underworld figures, and the passionate intensity of rembetiko music. It captures the spirit of a generation marked by displacement, poverty, and longing, expressed through the raw and emotional power of the music.

Through Marika's experiences, the film offers a vivid portrait of a society in transition, from the pre-war era to the post-war period. It explores themes of love, loss, hope, and the enduring human spirit.

Won multiple Greek film awards.

Most of the film was shot in Athens.

You can buy a special edition DVD on Amazon.

Poster for Voyage to Cythera

Main actors: Manos Katrakis, Dimitris Papanikolaou

Voyage to Cythera is a contemplative and poetic film that explores themes of memory, exile, and the complexities of returning home.

The story revolves around an elderly man, Spyros, who returns to Greece after a long absence in the Soviet Union. As he attempts to reconnect with his homeland and family, he is haunted by the ghosts of his past as a resistance fighter. The film follows his journey as he travels to the island of Cythera, a place imbued with myth and longing, seeking a sense of belonging.

Director Theodoros Angelopoulos uses the vast and often desolate landscapes of Greece to mirror the protagonist's internal turmoil. The film's slow pace and deliberate storytelling create a meditative atmosphere, inviting viewers to contemplate the profound impact of history on individual lives.

Voyage to Cythera is considered a masterpiece of Greek cinema and a significant work in the broader context of European art cinema.

Won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Filmed on the Greek island of Kythira.

Poster for Dogtooth

Main actors: Christos Loulis, Aggeliki Papoulia, Sofia Georgiou

Dogtooth is a disturbing and provocative psychological drama that explores the themes of isolation, control, and the distortion of reality.

The film centers around a family living in seclusion, cut off from the outside world. The parents, in a bid to protect their children from the perceived dangers of society, have created a bizarre and controlled environment within their home. Their three adult children are kept in a state of prolonged childhood, ignorant of the world beyond their walls.

The parents manipulate language, creating their own definitions for everyday objects and concepts. Physical and psychological abuse is used to enforce their control, while the children are rewarded with stickers for obedience. As the film progresses, the fragile facade of this isolated world begins to crack, revealing the disturbing consequences of such extreme isolation.

Dogtooth is a challenging and unsettling film that offers a stark critique of societal norms and the power dynamics within families.

Won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival

The film was made mainly in Athens.

You can watch Dogtooth on Amazon Prime.

Poster for Attenberg

Main actors: Ariane Labed, Vangelis Mourikis

Attenberg is a coming-of-age story with a unique and unconventional tone. It follows Marina, a socially awkward 23-year-old woman living in a bleak industrial town with her terminally ill architect father.

Marina's perspective on the world is filtered through her fascination with nature documentaries, particularly those by David Attenberg. This gives her an outsider's view of human behavior, which she finds strange and often repellent. Her life is further shaped by her friendship with the free-spirited Bella, who provides her with unconventional sex education.

The film explores themes of identity, sexuality, and loss as Marina navigates the complexities of growing up while caring for her dying father. It's a delicate balance of humor, tenderness, and absurdity, creating a distinctive and memorable cinematic experience.

Won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

It was filmed in Aspra Spitia, a small factory town in the Boeotia region of Greece, on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth.

You can watch Attenberg on Amazon Prime.

Poster for Chevalier

Main actors: Nikos Ouzounidis, Yannis Behrakis

The film follows a group of six men on a fishing trip in the Aegean Sea. As their trip progresses, a seemingly harmless game of competition emerges, centered around determining who among them is the "best in general." This simple premise becomes a microcosm for exploring the dynamics of male friendship, ego, and the absurd lengths people will go to for validation.

With its deadpan humor and sharp observations, Chevalier offers a satirical look at contemporary masculinity. The film’s minimalist dialogue and focus on character interactions create a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Nominated for several Greek film awards.

It was filmed in various locations around Greece, and in Albania. 

You can buy the DVD on Amazon.