2016 Films

AND I ALSO PASSED BY THERE AND HAD PAPER SHOES TO WEAR
(ΠΕΡΑΣΑ ΚΙ ΕΓΩ ΑΠΟ ΚΕΙ ΚΙ ΕΙΧΑ ΠΑΠΟΥΤΣΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΧΑΡΤΙ)

Direction: Vassilis Loules

The enthusiastic audience response last year prompts a second look at this fascinating documentary in which seniors from rural villages in central Greece face the camera and, in local dialect, and with considerable humor, tell fairytales and stories of universal and timeless appeal.

A conversation with director Vassilis Loules will follow the screening. He will be introduced by Dr. Elektra Kostopoulos, Rutgers University, Program in Modern Greek Studies.

ATHENS FROM BENEATH
(Η ΑΘΗΝΑ ΑΠΟ ΚΑΤΩ)

Direction: Takis Bardakos

“Dedicated to the victims of social inequality and injustice,” this powerful and timely documentary focuses on the human victims of the financial crisis in Greece: the unemployed, the disenfranchised, the “newly poor.”

On the same program:

4.1 MILES

Direction: Daphne Matziaraki

This unforgettable documentary captures the refugee crisis from the perspective of a Coast Guard captain who, together with his crew, rescue children and adults from the waters surrounding the island of Lesbos.

The director of ATHENS FROM BENEATH is expected to attend the October 5 screening.

BLIND SUN (ΚΑΥΣΩΝΑΣ)

Direction: Joyce A. Nashawati

Sometime in the near future, an intense heat wave and ensuing water shortage only add to the menacing atmosphere of a seaside resort already rife with political corruption and an aura of intensive social unrest. Before long, a troubled immigrant working in the area begins to sink deeper and deeper into mental disarray.
This suspense thriller received the FIPRESCI Prize, Best Film (Greek Panorama), at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival , 2015

CHEVALIER

Direction: Athina Rachel Tsangari

Six men on a fishing trip in the Aegean devise a game that will determine who is the best man among them. Described as “a deadpan comedy of manners, morals, and men behaving badly,” this allegorical new film, directed by one of the most prominent forces in the New Greek Cinema movement, features a stunning ensemble cast, including Vangelis Mourikis, Makis Papadimitriou, and Sakis Rouvas.

CITY OF CHILDREN (Η ΠΟΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΙΔΙΩΝ)

Direction: Yorgos Gkikapeppas

Reprised from the 2012 festival, this drama merits a second look, especially when considering the director’s growing reputation for turning out provocative films. It is comprised of four stories, each dealing with a pregnancy. A striking social drama , the film won the coveted FIPRESCI Prize as Best Greek Film at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 2011. The Hellenic Film Academy named Kika Georgiou Best Actress for her portrayal of a pregnant Iraqi woman.

The director is expected to attend the screening.

CLOUDY SUNDAY (ΟΥΖΕΡΙ ΤΣΙΤΣΑΝΗΣ)

Direction: Manoussos Manoussakis

In German-occupied Thessaloniki in 1943, a club owned by famed composer of rebetika Vassilis Tsitsanis becomes a refuge of sorts for a young Christian man in love with a Jewish woman.

The director is expected to attend the October 2 screening.

FAMILY MEMBER (ΜΕΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΣ)

Direction: Marinos Kartikkis

A middle class family in Cyprus struggling with a floundering business and financial woes depends on grandfather’s pension to help make ends meet. When the grandfather suddenly dies, they are forced to take extreme measures to stay afloat.

The director is expected to attend the October 8 screening.

This film is appropriate for family viewing.

42 SECONDS OF HAPPINESS

Direction: Christina Kallas

Friends reunite for a weekend away to celebrate the same sex marriage of a member of their group. Their efforts to behave themselves, however, are severely tested by unexpected arrivals, exposed secrets, hurt feelings, unresolved tensions, and too much wine.
This film is in English.

The director is expected to attend the screening.

HAMLET IN THE MIND OF YANNIS HOUVARDAS

Direction: Elias Giannakakis

Internationally acclaimed theater director Yannis Houvardas staged a somewhat idiosyncratic and edgy production of Hamlet at the Onassis Cultural Center in Athens in 2015. Assembling a cast of noted stage actors, the director was able to capture his take on Shakespeare’s masterpiece, mainly that the story unfolds “in a corrupt, obsequious, spiritually bankrupt totalitarian world in which everyone and everything is forever under surveillance.” The production played to sold out houses. This documentary records the weeks of rehearsals that preceded the opening.

Free admission but ticket is required.

JOURNEY THROUGH SMYRNA

Direction: Chrysovalantis Stamelos

Ninety-three years after the destruction of Smyrna, Greek and Turkish musicians form the group NeaBanda, determined to perform the soulful Smyrneika songs on the streets and quay of Smyrna, today’s Izmir. This new documentary by the director of HELLO ANATOLIA records the emotional journey that brought the original music of Asia Minor back to its homeland.

The director is expected to attend the October 2 screening.

LIFE OF SIGNIFICANT SOIL

Direction: Michael Irish

Two young people trudging through their failing relationship suddenly realize that they are trapped.
Presented in memory of lead actor Alexis Mouyiaris, who died suddenly as he was nearing completion of this, his first film
This film is in English.

On the same program:

MY FRIEND LARRY GUS

Direction: Vasilis Katsoupis

This droll documentary follows three years in the life of an ambitious but somewhat offbeat young man trying to pursue a career as a professional musician.

MICRO M FESTIVAL

New York City becomes one of twelve locations world-wide to host the Micro M Festival of short films by Greek filmmakers. Fifteen shorts will be screened at the same time in various cities, and members of the audience will be asked to vote for their favorite.
(Reduced admission price)

MYTHOPATHY (ΝΟΤΙΑΣ)

Direction: Tassos Boulmetis

The director of the legendary POLITIKI KOUZINA returns to the screen with a wise and witty comedy about an unusual young boy with a hyperactive imagination. He comes of age during the turbulent yet promising 60s and 70s, experiencing first love, heartbreak and political engagement.

The director is expected to attend the September 29 screening.

SECOND CHANCE (Η ΔΕΥΤΕΡΗ ΕΥΚΑΙΡΙΑ)

Direction: Menelaos Karamangiolis

In this inspiring documentary, Rokas Balbieris, a young Lithuanian immigrant incarcerated for drug trafficking, studies at the Avlona Prison High School in preparation for the national university entrance exam.

Shown only on that night as a companion feature to Journey Through Smyrna

SILENT

Direction: Yorgos Gkikapeppas

A young opera singer suddenly loses her voice and retreats to her family’s nearly abandoned summer home to come to grips with her affliction. Once there she is visited by the people closest to her, each ostensibly there to be of help. Instead, old issues come to light and bonds are severed.
This fascinating and superbly acted psychological drama won the FIPRESCI Prize as Best Film in the international competition at last year’s Thessaloniki International Film Festival. It had its American premiere at the National Gallery of Art in Washington as part of the Athens Today film series earlier this year.

The director is expected to attend the screening.

SMAC

Direction: Elias Demetriou

A seriously ill woman begins a platonic relationship with a homeless man and finds herself re-examining her life and finding the courage to face her future.
The Hellenic Film Academy named Evangelia Andreadaki Best Actress 2016 for her
portrayal of the woman.

SUNTAN

Direction: Argyris Papadimitropoulos

The surprise box office hit of the season in Greece, SUNTAN is the cautionary tale of a lonely doctor bordering on middle age who falls in love with a much younger woman. What begins as a man’s quest to rediscover his lost youth quickly turns into obsession and embarrassment. The film features a breakout performance by popular Greek actor Makis Papadimitriou.

WARNING: This film is intended for adult audiences. It contains abundant male and female nudity and may be disturbing for some viewers.

SWING AWAY

Direction: Michael Achilles Nickles

A troubled golfer travels to the island of Rhodes where she reconnects with her Greek roots, mentors a young girl determined to become a golf sensation, and rallies the townspeople to stand up against a greedy real estate developer who has designs not only on the local golf course but the village as well.
This film is in English and Greek.

This film is appropriate for family viewing.

URSA MINOR (MIKRI ARKTOS)

Direction: Elissavet Chronopoulou

In this unflinching portrayal of sexual violence and emotional turmoil, a man under arrest thinks back upon the last few months, trying to understand what went wrong in his relationship with a young woman.

Warning: This film is intended for adult audiences. Some viewers may find the content and certain images offensive.

WORLDS APART (ΕΝΑΣ ΑΛΛΟΣ ΚΟΣΜΟΣ)

Direction: Christopher Papakaliatis

The stunning new film directed by and starring Christopher Papakaliatis tells three different stories that unite as a single narrative at the end. Each concerns a non-Greek falling in love with a Greek at a time of social and economic turmoil in Greece and Southern Europe at large. This year’s top-grossing film in Greece also stars Academy Award winner J. K. Simmons.

The director is expected to attend the reception and screening.