As always with any major, small, or niche festival, all eyes are on the big events. The main competition is also conspicuous, and then there are the other sections. At this year’s Greek Film Festival Berlin, the reception for Stelios justified it as the Opening Film. Many of the audience stayed behind for the hour-long Q&A with director Yorgos Tsemberopoulos.
Stelios also belonged to an out of competition section called Tribute: Notes on Film. The section pays tribute to the makers of music in Greece throughout the last century. The other four films in the section assimilated retrospective Greek offerings with more recent films. It also balanced documentary with fiction films. Edge of Night by Nikos Panayotopoulos was released in 2000 and draws allusions to Stelios. In particularly, it harks back to the age of seedy bars in remote Greece. The narrative tells of an aspiring singer who leaves Athens, hoping for her big break. The film’s score is by renowned Greek composer Stamatis Kraounakis.
Made in 2019, Eftihia is a celebration of the life of Eftihia Papagianopoulou. The film portrays her struggles and dreams to become a poet and lyricist. In 1919, before the Greco-Turkish War, she escapes from Smyrna to Greece with her mother and two children in search of fame. Eftihia is further recognition for the poet, who did not become famous until after her death.
Yani Spanos: A Life behind the Marquee, by Aris Dorizas is an intriguing documentary. Made in 2023 it portrays the humble life of the Greek composer, born Ioannes “Giannis” Spanos. It also follows his collaborations in Paris and fame in his homeland. All this is seen through the eyes of a fan, with rare interviews and documents. The use of animation and collage is also enhancing.
Nikos Chantzis’ Return of the Creeps (2024) celebrates the famous Athens-based record label. An energetic documentary, it prominently looks at the life of Creep Records founder Babis Dallidis. Despite lasting only four years (1982-1986), Creep Records created a legacy of the Greek New Wave scene. This included the Post-Punk and Dark Wave genres. The featured label artists includes Art of Parties, Clown, Cpt Nefos, and Headleaders.
The Greek Film Festival Berlin runs until March 30th.
~ By Steven Yates