In this article, we will explore Greek Weird Wave Cinema, a movement that has made a significant impact on world cinema and continues to influence contemporary filmmaking.
Cinema has been present in Greece since the early twentieth century, which has allowed for the rapid and innovative development of Greek cinema through various periods, including the Golden Age and the Postmodern era. The Greek Weird Wave , also known as the Greek Weird Wave, refers to a recent wave of films that have emerged over the past twenty years. These films are characterized by their exploration of political and cultural issues in provocative and subversive ways, often presenting critical narratives that challenge conventional perspectives.
Produced with very limited budgets due to the country’s financial constraints, Greek Weird Wave films have nonetheless captured the attention of audiences around the world. Despite their financial limitations, these films have managed to gain international recognition and acclaim. Let’s delve into the characteristics of this movement and examine some of its exemplary films.
Characteristics of Greek Weird Wave Cinema
If we were to describe the characteristic features of the Greek Weird Wave Cinema in two words, they would undoubtedly be detachment and surrealism. The films of this movement generally exhibit an abstractionist aesthetic. The characters often display a near-complete emotional alienation and engage in unconventional behaviors. The narratives frequently present scenarios that are either illogical or impossible, yet they are portrayed in a grounded manner.
In conclusion, the chaotic and confusing atmosphere that characterizes Greek Weird Wave Cinema should not be viewed as an isolated phenomenon from the last 20 years when Greece faced significant economic and political crises. Instead, it emerged as a reactive reflection of the values lost and transformed in the realm of culture and art, and it often conceals political criticism within its subtexts.
Yorgos Lanthimos, a prominent figure in Greek Weird Wave Cinema, shares the following in an interview:
“So I went to film school and got my technical experience there. But of course, in school, I became increasingly engrossed in the idea of being a filmmaker and in movies. Even though I started working on many commercials at a very young age, I always harbored the dream of making a movie. Eventually, we began creating our own films; we had nothing initially, so we used our friends’ houses, cars, and even clothes for our movies.
Growing up in Greece, it wasn’t common for a young person to say, ‘I’m going to be a filmmaker.’ At least at that time, there weren’t many filmmakers and there wasn’t a well-established industry. I was interested in films, but at the time, it seemed more practical to study film and television for advertising skills, which was considered a legitimate profession with the potential for earning a living.”
Kinetta (2005) – IMDB: 4.7
This experimental psychological drama film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is one of the director’s lesser-known works.
In Kinetta, a Greek coastal resort, three strangers converge outside the holiday season. The first is a police officer with an obsession for luxury German cars and Russian women. The second is an eccentric photographer, and the third is a seemingly ordinary hotel maid. They come together for a rather peculiar purpose: to recreate several murders.
The trio, who meticulously and almost ritually reconstruct the brutal murders and crime scenes, begin to experience internal conflicts as the boundaries of their private lives start to blur. Will they manage to keep their lives unaffected by this chaos?
Entwined (2019) – IMDB: 5.5
The 2019 horror and drama film, directed by Minos Nikolakakis, explores the tension between paranormal events and scientific facts.
Following his father’s death, a young doctor, Panos, who is grappling with grief and a mental breakdown, takes on the role of community doctor in the remote and mountainous village of Alyti, despite his stepbrother’s objections. As he interacts with the superstitious and silent locals, Panos encounters Danae, a mysterious figure with a peculiar skin disease. This encounter sparks Panos’ curiosity, prompting him to undertake an in-depth investigation.
What begins as a research interest quickly evolves into an overwhelming fascination, and soon, a strange passion. Panos soon finds himself ensnared in the heart of an untouched forest. Will science provide answers to the bizarre events he encounters?
Chevalier (2015) – IMDB: 6.2
“Chevalier” is a 2015 comedy film directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari. The film premiered in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the Toronto International Film Festival and was Greece’s entry for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Set against the backdrop of the deep blue Aegean Sea, the film transforms a seemingly innocent fishing trip among six friends into a high-stakes contest of male dominance. On a sinking luxury boat filled with well-meaning but morally ambiguous individuals, the desire to prove oneself ignites fierce competition. As the story unfolds, the traditional narrative of men needing to be the best hunters, the fiercest fighters, and the most extraordinary lovers comes into play. Who will emerge worthy of a precious knighthood by the end of the showdown, and what fate awaits the losers?
Attenberg (2010) – IMDB: 6.2
“Attenberg” is a 2010 drama film written and directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 67th Venice International Film Festival and also received an Oscar nomination.
Set in an ordinary factory town by the sea, the film follows 23-year-old Marina, who lives with her architect father. Marina finds the human race distant and tends to isolate herself, finding solace in depressing songs, documentaries, and receiving sex education from her only friend, Bella. Her routine is disrupted when a stranger arrives in town and challenges her to a foosball duel on his own table. As her father lies on his deathbed and her enjoyment of life wanes, Marina faces a crucial choice between the people in her life. Through this, she will confront the complexities of human existence and grapple with the conflict between logic and emotion.
Boy Eating the Bird’s Food (2012) – IMDB: 6.3
“Boy Eating the Bird’s Food” is a drama film written and directed by Ektoras Lygizos, inspired by Knut Hamsun’s 1890 novel “Hunger.” The film was selected as the Greek entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards and features an allegorical narrative.
The film portrays three days in the life of an Athenian boy who has no job, no one he loves, and nothing to eat. The only thing he has left is his canary, and he is willing to share everything he possesses with it, quite literally. Left alone, he yearns for a voice that can articulate his sad situation.
Alps (2011) – IMDB: 6.4
“Alps” is a 2011 psychological drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos that won the Jury Prize at the Sydney Film Festival.
The film follows a group of individuals who establish a company called The Alps to help those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. For a small fee, they offer support through their sensible and well-educated staff. These employees aim to fill the void left by the deceased to make the grieving process less disruptive and quicker, adhering to a strict set of rules and protocols. However, complications arise when one of the employees breaks the protocol and becomes emotionally attached to a grieving customer.
Suntan (2016) – IMDB: 6.6
“Suntan” is a 2016 drama film directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos. It premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.
The film centers on Kostis, a 40-year-old doctor who takes over the responsibilities of a local clinic on the small island of Antiparos. Initially, his life and routine seem ordinary. However, everything changes when he meets a group of young and beautiful international tourists. Kostis becomes infatuated with 19-year-old Anna, who he sees as a goddess. This obsessive love leads him into a severe mental breakdown. The film explores whether Kostis can overcome his obsession with Anna.
8. Pity (2018) – IMDB: 6.7
“Pity” is a 2018 drama film directed by Babis Makridis. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.
The story revolves around a man who finds happiness only in his own unhappiness, becoming addicted to sadness and craving pity from others. Living in a world he feels is not cruel enough, he delights in his own pain and helplessness and is willing to go to great lengths to satisfy his hunger for attention.
Μήλα – Apples (2020) – IMDB: 6.8
“Apples” is a 2020 drama film directed and produced by Christos Nikou in his directorial debut. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was Greece’s Oscar nomination entry.
As sudden and potentially irreparable episodes of memory loss sweep across the globe, Aris, a grizzled and lonely man, finds himself affected by this unprecedented outbreak of memory loss. Having forgotten everything about his past, Aris joins a rescue program, an ambitious initiative designed to ease the transition to a new reality. While attempting to navigate his daily life, Aris meets Anna, a kindred spirit also suffering from the same cruel disease. As Aris gradually begins to recall aspects of his past and identity, he learns that starting over comes with its own set of challenges and costs.
Miss Violence (2013) – IMDB: 7.1
“Miss Violence”, a 2013 psychological thriller directed by Alexandros Avranas, won the Best Screenplay award at the Stockholm International Film Festival.
On Aggeliki’s eleventh birthday, a well-organized party is planned to celebrate the occasion. Everything appears set for an ordinary birthday celebration. However, Aggeliki’s day takes a dark turn as she uncovers shocking truths about her family, shrouding the atmosphere in a devastating sense of hopelessness. As sins committed behind closed doors and blood-curdling secrets are revealed one by one, the characters embark on a harrowing journey that delves deep into the human soul.
Digger (2020) – IMDB: 7.4
Directed by Georgis Grigorakis, the 2020 drama film “Digger” premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival as part of the Panorama section, where it won the Art Cinema Award.
Living and working alone in a farmhouse nestled in the heart of a mountain forest in northern Greece, a local farmer has been battling an industrial monster that has been relentlessly digging up the forest, destroying the lush vegetation, and threatening the habitat. However, the biggest threat arrives with the unexpected return of his young son after a twenty-year separation. As father and son, now adversaries under one roof, experience intense conflict witnessed only by nature, this reckoning opens an unexpected path of salvation for both of them.
