Exploring Greek Cinema: Modern-Day Must-Watch Movies

Greek cinema has witnessed a renaissance in recent years, offering audiences a diverse array of captivating stories that reflect the complexities of modern Greek society.

From historical dramas to contemporary romances, here are some Greek films from the past decade that are definitely worth your time!

1. Little England" (2013)

Director: Pantelis Voulgaris
Starring: Penelope Tsilika, Sofia Kokkali, Aneza Papadopoulou, Maximos Moumouris

This captivating period drama is set on the picturesque island of Andros in the 1930s. The film intricately explores the lives of the inhabitants of a small island community, delving into themes of love, betrayal, and familial duty. Penelope Tsilika delivers a mesmerizing performance as Orsa, a young woman torn between tradition and desire in a society dictated by societal norms.

2. Worlds Apart (2015)

Director: Christoforos Papakaliatis
Starring: J.K. Simmons, Christophoros Papakaliatis, Andrea Osvárt, Maria Kavoyianni, Minas Hatzisavvas

Directed by Christoforos Papakaliatis, "Worlds Apart" interweaves three distinct narratives that explore love, connection, and cultural differences in contemporary Greece. Through its ensemble cast and thought-provoking storyline, the film offers a reflection on the complexities of human relationships in an increasingly globalized world.

3. Roza of Smyrna (2016)

Director: George Kordellas
Starring: Tasos Nousias, Leda Protopsalti, Evgenia Dimitropoulou, Yilmaz Gruda, Yulika Skafida

Spanning across time and space, "Roza of Smyrna" narrates a captivating tale that intertwines the lives of characters in Izmir in 1922 and Athens in 1987. Director George Kordellas skillfully navigates between these timelines, unraveling a story of secrets, love, and the enduring power of the past. Lida Protopsalti delivers a mesmerizing performance as Roza, a woman with a hidden past that resurfaces through the pursuit of an old love.

Director: Sotiris Tsafoulias

Starring: Pigmalion Dadakaridis, Dimitris Katalifos, François Cluzet, Kora Karvouni, Giorgos Chrysostomou

"The Other Me" is a gripping psychological thriller about the dark recesses of the human mind. The film follows the journey of a man grappling with identity and reality after a traumatic event leaves him questioning his own existence and a criminology professor who attempts to solve several murders, with only a series of Pythagoras quotes providing the elusive link between them.

Director: Yannis Smaragdis

Starring: Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos, Marina Kalogirou, Thodoris Atheridis, Nikos Kardonis

Directed by Yannis Smaragdis, "Kazantzakis" offers a captivating exploration of the life and legacy of the renowned Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Through brilliant performances and breathtaking cinematography, the film delves into the complex psyche of Kazantzakis, portraying his struggles, passions, and literary genius.

Director: Angelos Frantzis

Starring: Katia Goulioni, Karyofyllia Karabeti, Thanos Tokakis, Evagelia Siriopoulou, Evgenia Samara

Following the journey of Eftyhia Papagiannopoulou, a young woman who flees the burning of Smyrna and rises to prominence as a celebrated lyricist in Athens, this film celebrates her resilience and artistic legacy.

     

Director: Grigoris Karantinakis

Starring: Mimi Denissi, Leonidas Kakouris, Burak Hakki, Krateros Katsoulis, Tamila Koulieva

Set during the occupation of Smyrna in 1922, this gripping film chronicles the experiences of the wealthy Greek Baltatzis family amidst the turmoil of the Greco-Turkish War. As the Turkish army inflicts atrocities upon the local Greek and Armenian populations, the Baltatzis family grapples with the harsh realities of war and the subsequent exodus of Smyrna's ethnic Greeks.

8. Murderess (2023)

Director: Tasos Boulmetis
Starring: Karyofyllia Karabeti, Penelope Tsilika, Georgianna Dalaras, Elena Topalidou



Set on  the remote island of Skiathos circa 1900, "Murderess" is a gripping adaptation of the classic work by Alexandros Papadiamantis. The tragic story revolves around Hadoula, a woman ensnared in the suffocating grip of her mother's rejection and the oppressive constraints of a patriarchal society.