Zeta, Floretta, Niki

A family flounders, cheerful and absurd, overturning prevailing stereotypical and moralizing attitudes, then validating them, then overturning them once more in “A Crazy… Crazy Family,” directed by Dinos Dimopoulos. A lower-middle class Greek family is set to burst into flames in “Matchbox,” directed by Yannis Economides. “Betty,” directed by Dimitris Stavrakas, gives us the portrait of a trans woman some 40 years before the legal recognition of gender identity. A father who sees himself as master of his children sets them deadly traps in “Caution, Danger!” directed by Yiorgos Stamboulopoulos. The tribute’s fifth and final day sees the Greek family unit placed firmly center stage.

The films are to be introduced by Christos Politis (administrator of the “Christos Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” cinephile Facebook page), Dimitris Stavrakas, Betty Vakalidou, Yannis Economides, and Yiorgos Stamboulopoulos. Yannis Economides and the cast of “Matchbox,” as well as Betty Vakalidou and Dimitris Stavrakas are themselves to be introduced by the Director of Culture at the Onassis Foundation, Afroditi Panagiotakou.

Program

16:00 | “A Crazy Crazy Family” by Dinos Dimopoulos | 1965 | 101´ | DCP | In Greek without subtitles

Introduced by Christos Politis (“Christos Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”)

18:50 | “Betty” by Dimitris Stavrakas | 1979 | 33´ | DCP | In Greek with English subtitles

Introduced by Dimitris Stavrakas and Betty Vakalidou

19:30 | “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides | 2003 | 80´ | 35MM | In Greek with English subtitles

Introduced by Yannis Economides and members of the film’s cast

21:50 | “Caution, Danger!” by George Stamboulopoulos | 1983 | 108´ | 35MM | In Greek without subtitles

Introduced by Yiorgos Stamboulopoulos and Yannis Economides

“A Crazy Crazy Family” by Dinos Dimopoulos

Micka is a young woman living in a crazy family: Her mother, Pasta Flora, lives in cloud cuckoo land, her little sister is out of control, and her father (who is practically divorced from her mother) is kind yet chicken-hearted. Even though Micka is engaged to Mickis, on the eve of their wedding day, she flies off to Venice and gets married to Andreas; however, when Andreas discovers the true nature of his wife’s family, he decides not only to break up with her, but also to bring these people to their senses.

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Still from the “A Crazy Crazy Family” by Dinos Dimopoulos (1965)

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Still from the “A Crazy Crazy Family” by Dinos Dimopoulos (1965)

Cast: Jenny Karezi, Mary Aroni, Alekos Alexandrakis, Dionysis Papagiannopoulos, Lili Papagianni, Alekos Tzanetakos, Katerina Gogou, Dimitris Kallivokas, Nitsa Marouda, Athinodoros Prousalis, Eleni Kriti, Maria Martika, Nasos Kedrakas, Babis Anthopoulos, George Grigoriou, Michalis Ballis, Vangelis Traiforos, Areti Andreou

“Betty” by Dimitris Stavrakas

Forty years before gender transition was legally recognized, Dimitris Stavrakas directs an emblematic hybrid short – part fiction, part documentary – based on the autobiography of Betty Vakalidou, depicting 24 hours in the life of a trans woman. Memories from her earlier life mingle with moments from the present day as it turns into night. Images of pastel beauty are interspersed with painful savagery in a profile of loneliness and power, where past and present collide.

Awards/Distinctions

Best Film (Drama International Short Film Festival 1979), Best Documentary (Larissa Film Festival 1979), Best Short Film (Greek Film Critics Association)

Still from the “Betty” by Dimitris Stavrakas (1979)

Cast: Betty Vakalidou

“Matchbox” by Yannis Economides

It’s one of the dog days of summer, and Dimitris’s apartment in the Athenian suburb of Korydallos turns into a battlefield. As the members of his family enter and leave this “matchbox” with fevered despair, verbal and non-verbal violenc raise the temperature to the extreme. An unexpected confession adds fuel to the fire, so Dimitris’s downfall seems to have no end. Leading actor Errikos Litsis is rough, sweaty, terrified, suffering, struggling, fragile, betrayed, ridiculous, and tragic – a “psycho”, in the words of his sociopath daughter (Angeliki Papoulia); he gives flesh, bones, and voice to an unforgettable next-door hero, telling the story of an entire world and an era that finally meets its limits.

Awards/Distinctions

Greek Film Critics Association’s Prize for Best Film (Thessaloniki Film Festival 2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

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Still from the “Matchbox” by Yannis Economides (2003)

“Matchbox” by Yannis Economides | 2003 | 80´ | Script: Yannis Economidis, Lenia Spiropoulou | Producers: Nikos Tsangaris, Yorgos Lykiardopoulos, Spyros Kokkas, Takis Veremis | Cinematography: Dimitris Horianopoulos | Editing: Spyros Kokkas | Sound: Costas Fylaktidis (mix), Dinos Kittou (sound recording) | Art Direction: Takis Zervoulakos | Sets & Costumes: Georgia Demiri | Production: Strada Productions, X-Rated, Kino SA, Max Productions, Greek Film Centre, Cassandra Films, Studio ERA

Cast: Errikos Litsis, Eleni Kokkidou, Costas Xikominos, Giannis Voulgarakis, Ioanna Ivanoudi, Stavros Yagoulis, Angeliki Papoulia, Serafita Grigoriadou

“Caution, Danger!” by Yiorgos Stamboulopoulos

Sideris (Titos Vandis) is a man who lives secluded in a wild quarry at the end of a country road, together with his three children – two boys and a girl. With his kids as accomplices, he sets deadly traps for passing cars, for the sole purpose of looting. Other than spreading horror to the whole area around the quarry, he is also the “padre padrone,” i.e. father and master of his children, imposing his power by force; but one day, the sudden visit of a land surveyor sent to the quarry by the Prefecture, will upset the family’s equilibrium. A violent atmosphere, lust, ferocity, fast pace, and conflicting primitive instincts are juxtaposed in this cruel and daring political thriller.

Awards/Distinctions/Festivals Participation

Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Best Editing, Best Special Effects, two Greek State Film Awards – Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Thessaloniki Film Festival 1983), Out of Competition screening (Berlin Film Festival & Munich Film Festival 984), Honorary Distinction for Best Screenplay (Alexandria Film Festival 1984)