Greek Weird Wave films are existential with a hefty dose of absurdism, surrealism and tragedy, where alienated protagonists struggle in a meaningless milieu.
Greece may be the sun-kissed cradle of Western culture and a perennial magnet for tourism, but in recent decades it has seldom had a high profile in the film world. During the “golden age” of the 1950s and ‘60s things were somewhat different, as talents like stars Melina Mercouri and Irene Papas, plus directors Michael Cacoyannis and Costa-Gavras, achieved major international recognition. After that, however, a variety of factors contributed to a shrinking of exported features, the most prominent exceptions being later films by late slow-cinema master Theo Angelopoulos and the idiosyncratic, absurdism-inclined Yorgo Lanthimos (though his projects are mostly shot abroad in English these days).
Cyprus Film Days returns to the big screen
Between Heaven and Earth by Najwa Najjar
After a year’s absence, the Cyprus Film Days International Festival is overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic and is returning to big screens for its 2021 edition. With a selection spanning three main programmes, the largest international film event in Cyprus will take place with the physical presence of the audience and in full compliance with all applicable measures, from 16-24 April, in its usual spots in the country’s two biggest cities: at the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and the Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia. As at previous editions, the artistic part is managed by the a three-member artistic committee, consisting of film scholar
Cyprus Film Days returns to the big screen
Between Heaven and Earth by Najwa Najjar
After a year’s absence, the Cyprus Film Days International Festival is overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic and is returning to big screens for its 2021 edition. With a selection spanning three main programmes, the largest international film event in Cyprus will take place with the physical presence of the audience and in full compliance with all applicable measures, from 16-24 April, in its usual spots in the country’s two biggest cities: at the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and the Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia. As at previous editions, the artistic part is managed by the a three-member artistic committee, consisting of film scholar
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It appears as if it is an ordinary outing to a remote beach. Four young women and their sheepdog enjoy the warmth of the sun and chill of the sea. They play and dance and sing. The day gives way to silly games and girlish banter. Laughter is punctuated by tears. The tears are washed away by make believe. Until the day comes to a close and they begin to pack their things to leave. Unassumingly mysterious and deeply nostalgic, Winona holds on to its bittersweet secret till the very end.
The man who sold his skin / L homme qui a vendu sa peau