Oi Thalassies oi Hadres
Encyclopedia
Oi Thalassies oi Hadres is a 1967
Greek
musical film
, directed by Giannis Dalianidis and starring Zoe Laskari
, Kostas Voutsas
, Martha Karagianni, Faidon Georgitsis, Giannis Vogiatzis and Mary Chronopoulou. At the time of its release it was among the most expensive films ever made in Greece
and one of the most commercially successful Greek films.
) is a rich young lady that challenges problems in a traditional folk neighbourhood in Plaka
, Athens
, when she moves to play modern music in a store opposite a traditional taverna
, where Fotis (Faidon Georgitsis), a bouzouki
player, works along with Kostas (Kostas Voutsas
), Sofia (Mary Chronopoulou) and others. The gang of the taverna soon turns against Mary, for the reason that she alterates the character of the neighbourhood. Eventually, Fotis falls in love with Mary, but his friends margin him as he seems willing to sacrifice everything for her in order to be accepted by her social circles. A second love story involves in the film, as Eleni (Martha Karagianni), sister of Fotis, tries to attract Kostas using various ways.
film
Diplopenies made abroad, Finos Film's main goal was to make a film addressing to the foreign market and for this reason director Giannis Dalianidis was asked to include more elements of the Greek culture
in this musical film
, in order to diversify it from the American
musical films and make it attractive for the general public. In addition to this, the production company spent a large amount of money to make the film more glamorous, an element that was absent for the great majority of the Greek films of the era.
Several talented and famous actor
s were engaged in this film, including some of the most brilliant Greek
stars who portrayed the major roles, while composer Mimis Plessas and singer Giannis Poulopoulos
surrounded the characters of the film producing a great musical result.
and
Guest star:
----
In this movie, Faidon Georgitsis and Mary Chronopoulou made their first appearance ever in a musical film. Almost identically the main cast of the film, Zoe Laskari, Kostas Voutsas, Martha Karagianni, Faidon Georgitsis, Giannis Vogiatzis and Mary Chronopoulou starred in the 1968
hit of Finos Film and Giannis Dalianidis, Mia Kyria sta Bouzoukia.
and rock
. In the film this influx shocks the traditional neighbourhood of Plaka
in Athens
, infuriates and alarms the people who occupy with the laïkó
music style. It also demonstrates the liberation of women, as part of the feministic
ideology that arrives in Greece, as the main female character of the movie is a young woman from the upper class
, who forms her own cohort along with her female friends and brings new mores in an old-fashioned local society.
and was received with enthusiasm by the audience, although it did not officially contest. Especially, Zoe Laskari was seen as an international celebrity and paparazzi
followed her everywhere during her stay in Cannes
.
1967 in film
The year 1967 in film involved some significant events. It is widely considered as one of the most ground-breaking years in film.-Events:* December 26 - The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour airs on British television....
Greek
Cinema of Greece
Greece has a long and rich cinematic history. Greek films dominate the domestic market, for example Safe Sex had more box office receipts than Titanic. Characteristics of Greek cinema include a dynamic plot, strong character development and erotic themes...
musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
, directed by Giannis Dalianidis and starring Zoe Laskari
Zoe Laskari
Zoe Laskari , is a Greek film and theatre actress, one of the most popular in Greece.-Life:Zoe Laskari was born Zoe Kouroukli in Thessaloniki, from a middle class family which had a long tradition of service to the Hellenic Army. At an early age she lost both her parents and was raised by her...
, Kostas Voutsas
Kostas Voutsas
Kostas Voutsas is a famous Greek actor, director and writer.-Biography:Voutsas was born in Thessaloniki, in 1931. He studied drama at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953...
, Martha Karagianni, Faidon Georgitsis, Giannis Vogiatzis and Mary Chronopoulou. At the time of its release it was among the most expensive films ever made in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and one of the most commercially successful Greek films.
Plot
Mary (Zoe LaskariZoe Laskari
Zoe Laskari , is a Greek film and theatre actress, one of the most popular in Greece.-Life:Zoe Laskari was born Zoe Kouroukli in Thessaloniki, from a middle class family which had a long tradition of service to the Hellenic Army. At an early age she lost both her parents and was raised by her...
) is a rich young lady that challenges problems in a traditional folk neighbourhood in Plaka
Plaka
Pláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, when she moves to play modern music in a store opposite a traditional taverna
Taverna
Taverna refers to a small restaurant serving Greek cuisine, not to be confused with "tavern". The Greek word is ταβέρνα and is originally derived from the Latin word taberna...
, where Fotis (Faidon Georgitsis), a bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
player, works along with Kostas (Kostas Voutsas
Kostas Voutsas
Kostas Voutsas is a famous Greek actor, director and writer.-Biography:Voutsas was born in Thessaloniki, in 1931. He studied drama at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953...
), Sofia (Mary Chronopoulou) and others. The gang of the taverna soon turns against Mary, for the reason that she alterates the character of the neighbourhood. Eventually, Fotis falls in love with Mary, but his friends margin him as he seems willing to sacrifice everything for her in order to be accepted by her social circles. A second love story involves in the film, as Eleni (Martha Karagianni), sister of Fotis, tries to attract Kostas using various ways.
Production
After the success that the 19661966 in film
The year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Diplopenies made abroad, Finos Film's main goal was to make a film addressing to the foreign market and for this reason director Giannis Dalianidis was asked to include more elements of the Greek culture
Culture of Greece
The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Mycenaean Greece, continuing most notably into Classical Greece, through the influence of the Roman Empire and its Greek Eastern successor the Byzantine Empire...
in this musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
, in order to diversify it from the American
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
musical films and make it attractive for the general public. In addition to this, the production company spent a large amount of money to make the film more glamorous, an element that was absent for the great majority of the Greek films of the era.
Several talented and famous actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s were engaged in this film, including some of the most brilliant Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
stars who portrayed the major roles, while composer Mimis Plessas and singer Giannis Poulopoulos
Giannis Poulopoulos
Giannis Poulopoulos is a Greek singer-songwriter who had many prominent hits in the Greek music world during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s...
surrounded the characters of the film producing a great musical result.
Cast
Starring:- Zoe LaskariZoe LaskariZoe Laskari , is a Greek film and theatre actress, one of the most popular in Greece.-Life:Zoe Laskari was born Zoe Kouroukli in Thessaloniki, from a middle class family which had a long tradition of service to the Hellenic Army. At an early age she lost both her parents and was raised by her...
.... Mary Kaniatoglou - Kostas VoutsasKostas VoutsasKostas Voutsas is a famous Greek actor, director and writer.-Biography:Voutsas was born in Thessaloniki, in 1931. He studied drama at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953...
.... Kostas Pitouras - Martha Karagianni .... Eleni Tsitoura
- Faidon Georgitsis .... Fotis Tsitouras
- Nana Skiada .... Mrs. Kaniatoglou
- Aris MaliagrosAris MaliagrosAris Maliagros was a Greek actor who played several aristocratic roles as Giorgos Gavriilidis and Hristos Tsaganeas...
.... Sokratis Kaniatoglou - Giorgos Tsitsopoulos .... Jim
- Aleka Mavili .... Markisia
- Nikos Fermas .... Apostolis
and
- Giannis Vogiatzis .... Memas Gardoubas
Guest star:
- Mary Chronopoulou .... Sofia
----
In this movie, Faidon Georgitsis and Mary Chronopoulou made their first appearance ever in a musical film. Almost identically the main cast of the film, Zoe Laskari, Kostas Voutsas, Martha Karagianni, Faidon Georgitsis, Giannis Vogiatzis and Mary Chronopoulou starred in the 1968
1968 in film
The year 1968 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 30 - The film The Lion in Winter, starring Katharine Hepburn, debuts.* November 1 - The MPAA's film rating system is introduced.-Top grossing films :- Awards :...
hit of Finos Film and Giannis Dalianidis, Mia Kyria sta Bouzoukia.
Major themes
The main subject of the film is the influx of foreign cultural elements in the Greek society in the 1960s, like the music genres of popPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. In the film this influx shocks the traditional neighbourhood of Plaka
Plaka
Pláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, infuriates and alarms the people who occupy with the laïkó
Laïkó
Laïkó ), is a Greek music genre. Also called folk song or urban folk music , in its plural form is a Greek music genre which has taken many forms over the years...
music style. It also demonstrates the liberation of women, as part of the feministic
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
ideology that arrives in Greece, as the main female character of the movie is a young woman from the upper class
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
, who forms her own cohort along with her female friends and brings new mores in an old-fashioned local society.
Release
The film released in Greek cinemas on February 20, 1967 and made 531,278 tickets in Greece, ranked 3rd for the season 1966-67. The film was also screened in the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
and was received with enthusiasm by the audience, although it did not officially contest. Especially, Zoe Laskari was seen as an international celebrity and paparazzi
Paparazzi
Paparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people...
followed her everywhere during her stay in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
.