June Screenings - Athens Open Air Film Festival 2018

The beloved film-loving summer date, the Athens Open Air Film Festival, in collaboration with the City of Athens Cultural, Sport and Youth Organization, returns in its 8th edition with magical screenings from June to August. Special city corners, archaeological monuments, parks, squares, beaches and some of the most beautiful museums and sites in Athens transform into an open-air cinema with free entrance to the audience.

The Athens Open Air Film Festival continues its solid collaboration with the British Council by suggesting classic masterpieces of the British cinema, among which some of the top adaptations of literary works within the framework of the “Classics Illustrated: Reading on the big screen” tribute which runs through this year’s program.

This article outlines all of the screenings for June so keep scrolling for full program info...

Friday, June 15^th / Plato’s Academy
Goldfinger, 1964 - by Guy Hamilton

The glittering Aston Martin. The woman named Pussy Galore. A naked female body dipped into gold. Gert Fröbe as a fatally cool rival. The first- class combination of cosmopolitan adventure, spy action and witty screenplay. Sean Connery as more irresistible a James Bond as ever. Shirley Bassey and her prominent voice in the theme song. Humour which becomes a necessary addition to an on-screen cocktail that is always served «shaken, not stirred»…

Duration: 110’ 
Starting Time: 21h30


Thursday, June 21^st / Ermou Pedestrian Precinct
Strictly Ballroom, 1992 - by Baz Luhrmann

European Music Day Celebration

The young dancer Scott Hastings trains from a young age in ballroom dances, something that is a family tradition. Being faithful to a totally unique personal style, he does his best to win the big prize in the national competition. A director who loves music, grand spectacle and who functions without guilt towards the pop culture’s bliss and film melodrama, Luhrmann delivers in his cinema debut an indulging dance lesson.

Starring: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Pat Thompson, Gia Carides, Peter Whitford
Duration: 94’
Starting Time: 21:30

The Athens Open Air Film Festival collaborates for the fourth consecutive year with the Athens & Epidaurus Festival in a series of screenings with  free entrance which cinematographically mark the summer.

Monday, June 25th / Cine Riviera
The Young Runaway, 1968 - by Stavros Tsiolis

While waiting for the «Jungle» circus’ arrival in the village, the children pretend to be grown-ups, the birds are singing and midsummer young Maria meets young Alexis. Alexis will tell her that he is a runaway and shortly after, holding a crushed plastic bottle of milk in his hands, he will ask her the  magical question: «Maria, do you want to marry me when we grow up?».

Starring: Maria Papaioannou, Nikos Oikonomidis, Aggelos Antonopoulos, Ina Mauer, Maria Foka, Theano Ioannidou
Duration: 92’ |
Starting Time: 21h30

Electra awaits the appropriate timing to avenge her father's death, Agamemnon , King of Myceanae, who was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover Aegisthus. Opportunity arises when she meets again with her brother Orestis. Together they will both set to motion their lethal plan.

In 1962 Michael Cacoyannis delivers through «Electra» the most timely and simultaneously exemplary transfer of ancient greek tragedy to cinema.

Starring: Irene Papa, Giannis Fertis, Aleka Katselli, Manos Katrakis, Notis Peryalis, Takis Emmanuel

Music: Mikis Theodorakis

Duration: 110’/

Starting Time: 21:30