Greece’s cinema has a long and illustrious history. The Greek movie industry dominates the domestic market and has achieved international success, although being limited at times by war or political unrest.
Greek movie is known for their explosive plots, significant character development, and sensual themes. Missing (1982) and Eternity and a Day (1998), both Greek movies, have received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Five Greek films have received Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language movie.
Although Greek cinema began in the early 1900s, the first mature films did not appear until the 1920s, following the end of the Greco-Turkish War. During this time, movies like Dimitris Gaziadis’ Astero (1929) and Achilleas Madras’ Maria Pentagiotissa (1929) were emotional melodramas with a lot of folkloristic themes.
One of the first Greek movies to be shown outside of Greece was Orestis Laskos’ Daphnis and Chloe (1931), which featured the first voyeuristic nude scene in a European film. The Greek film industry languished during the Axis occupation, as it was compelled to transfer overseas.
The 1967 junta’s censorship laws, along with increased foreign competition, resulted in a downturn in Greek cinema. Following the restoration of democracy in the mid-1970s, the Greek film industry blossomed once more, spearheaded by director Theo Angelopoulos, whose works gained international renown, making him the most acclaimed Greek director to date.
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