Hellenic Film Society Presents Pantelis Voulgaris Retrospective
Friday, October 10—Sunday, October 12
Museum of the Moving Image
35 Avenue at 37 Street, Astoria, NY 11106
Part of New York Greek Film Expo 2025,
a Greek film festival for all New Yorkers
As Pantelis Voulgaris approaches his 85th birthday on October 23, the time seems right for a retrospective of his work, an opportunity to revisit, enjoy and reassess some of his major films and introduce them to new audiences. During a career that spans more than 50 years, Voulgaris consistently created films of tenderness and passion, humanistic stories that have earned him international acclaim and established him as the master filmmaker of Greece.
The difficulty in presenting this retrospective has been deciding on the selections. We have included his first and his most recent films: the devastating The Engagement of Anna (1972) and the emotionally stirring The Last Note (2018). From his mid-career we have selected the widely acclaimed Brides (2004) and the ravishing Little England (2013), melodrama of the highest order. The films maintain their relevance and freshness and are sure to resonate with new audiences.
Of course, any retrospective honoring Voulgaris also pays tribute to his wife and long-time partner, novelist and screenwriter Ioanna Karystiani. Their work bears witness to enlightened creativity and has set a standard of excellence for generations of filmmakers who follow in their footsteps.
BRIDES
ΝΥΦΕΣ
Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris
Screenplay by Ioanna Karystiani
2004 | 128 mins
In Greek and English, with English subtitles
Cast: Victoria Haralabidou (Niki Douka), Damian Lewis (Norman Harris), Andrea Ferreol (Emine), Evi Saoulidou (Haro), Dimitris Katalifos (Captain), Vangelio Andreadaki (Niki’s Godmother)
In the summer of 1922, a ship sails from Smyrna with 700 mail-order brides, mostly Greek women bound for New York and their waiting husbands-to-be. The complex intersection of the old and the new world cultures is embodied in a shipboard romance between an American photographer, played by Damian Lewis (Billions, Homeland), and a Greek seamstress. He is on his way home to a failed marriage; she is bound for her new husband. Their story unfurls in a manner that illuminates the hopes, fears and desperation of these young courageous women.
Variety noted “a novelistic canvas, visual elegance, considerable charm, and romanticism that gains fervor via courtly restraint” among the film’s “virtues.”
Winner of five awards at the 2004 Thesssaloniki Film Festival, including Best Fiction Film, Best Actress (Victoria Haralabidou) and Best Supporting Actress (Evi Saoulidou)
THE ENGAGEMENT OF ANNA
ΤΟ ΠΡΟΞΕΝΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΝΝΑΣ
Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris
Screenplay by Menis Koumantareas, Pantelis Voulgaris
1972 | 87 mins
In Greek with English subtitles
Cast: Anna Vagena (Anna Vlasopoulou), Smaro Veaki (Matriarch), Kostas Rigopoulos (Theodosios Manolopoulos), Stavros Kalaroglou (Kosmas Raptis), Aliki Zografou (Elisavet), Maria Martika (Keti Manolopoulou)
Anna seems settled in her life as the maid of the middle-class Athenian family she has served since coming to the city from her village ten years earlier. The family’s decision to arrange a marriage for Anna disrupts the routine of her life of servitude as it darkens the mood and forces her to choose between her future happiness and the needs of those she cares for.
The New York Times called The Engagement of Anna an “exceptionally wise and moving Greek film.”
Winner of the coveted FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival
Winner of five awards at the 1972 Thessaloniki International Film Festival, including Best New Director, Best Art Film, Best Actress (Anna Vagena), Best Supporting Actor (Kostas Rigopoulos), Best Supporting Actress (Smaro Veaki)
THE LAST NOTE
ΤΟ ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΟ ΣΥΜΕΙΩΜΑ
Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris
Screenplay by Pantelis Voulgaris, Ioanna Karystiani
2017 | 117 minutes
In Greek with English subtitles
Cast: Andreas Konstantinou (Napoleon Soukatzidis), Andre Hennicke (Karl Fischer), Melia Kreiling (Hara Lioudaki), Tasos Dimas (Kostas)
On May 1, 1944, German occupiers executed 200 Greek resistance fighters in Kaisariani, as reprisal for an ambush against Nazis. This moving drama revisits one of the most important chapters of modern Greek history and pays tribute to the bravery of the Greek fighters, among them Napoleon Soukatzidis.
Hellenic Film Academy Award 2018: Best Actor (Andreas Konstantinou)
Followed by audience Q&A with actor Andreas Konstantinou.
Watch the interview with Sofia Kokkali
Watch the interview with Andreas Konstantinou
LITTLE ENGLAND
ΜΙΚΡΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΑ
Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris
Screenplay by Ioanna Karystiani
2013 | 132 mins
In Greek with English subtitles
Cast: Penelope Tsilika (Orsa), Sofia Kokkali (Moscha), Aneza Papadopoulou (Mina), Andreas Konstantinou (Spyros Maltabes), Maximos Moumouris (Nikos), Vasilis Vasilakis (Savvas), Christos Kalavrouzos (Uncle Aimilios), Vangelio Andreadaki (Hadoulaina)
In this story of passion, family and loss, two sisters are divided by their love for the same man. The title “Little England” refers to the island of Andros, where the film takes place, and its success in its rivalry with the mighty shipping industry of England before WWII.
The Hollywood Reporter called Little England, “…a woman’s picture in the most positive sense of the word…impeccably acted…the trio of female protagonists is never less than mesmerizing….”
Winner of the Hellenic Film Academy Award for Best Picture
Co-presented with NYWIFT, New York Women in Film & Television.
Both screenings will be followed by audience Q&A with actor Andreas Konstantinou.
Watch the interview with Sofia Kokkali
Watch the interview with Andreas Konstantinou
| Tuesday, October 7, 7:30 pm Barrymore Film Center | |
| Friday, October 10, 8 pm Museum of the Moving Image | |
Substitution of films and guest speakers may be made without notice.
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