Rembetiko

This movie is one of those almost forgotten gems produced by the Greek cinema. A great, well made, movie brought about by the truly conscientious efforts of a small team of people but confined into near obscurity by whoever now owns the distribution rights. The story line traces the evolution of the Rembetiko music, genre that could be described as the Greek blues, through some important milestones in the history of Greece in the early 1900's and at the same time through the tragic life of rembetiko singer Marika Ninou. Difficult to find it as DVD and the rare offerings on Amazon or eBay are well over-priced considering the atrocious picture quality. A pitiful shame indeed for such a great movie.

Beautiful film and the music was very moving. This is a great film for people who want to delve deeper in to Greek culture. The many actresses that played Marika were very well chosen. Hats off to Ferris who wrote such a story. The scenery in the film really helped give an idea about the slums. I wish the subtitles were a bit better because I noticed there was more going on and not enough being translated. It is amazing how the blues genre of the world is the same in soul but different in sound. I would have loved a bit more history on Asia minor. The music at the lemon market is my favourite in the beginning. This story is not about the famous Greek singer although a lot of similarities do exist but amazing movie nonetheless.

The history underpinning this Film is the one that makes this film really unique. It is very hard for this film to be translated and make it understandable by the majority of people that can't speak Greek and may not feel the story. The story begins around 1920 in the coastal area of (now days)Turkey. Between the war most of the Greeks owned this area, however most of them were killed (not as soldiers but as unarmed people)and all the others were sent to Greece were they had to start their life from zero. The passion and the lyrics of the music as well is what makes this film one of the best in Greece. Rempetiko is this kind of music that was carried in main Greece by them.

If I where to rate the music ... this would be an easy 10/10. At least and while I don't mean to slam or rather minimize the movie, in comparison it does fade a little bit. But that is nitpicking, because overall it is a great movie/drama. We get a woman and how she became the person she is. The singer, the individual, the character men see and crave.

There might be a few bumps along the ride and certain things may feel uncomfotable to watch to say the least, but the movie stays true to its nature. And yes the music is melodramatic at times, but it is also very apt. It generates emotion that cannot be denied. And if you understand the text, even more so. I remember watching this when I was little and rewatching it gave me goosebumps all over again ... The historical background seals the deal

Considered to be one of the most powerful and emotional Greek movies, Rembetiko focuses on the life of an individual woman,a real person and through her personal story, it retells the story of Greece,from 1920 to 1955:the national disaster in Asia Minor,the one million refugees who came to Greece,the World War II,the Nazi occupation,the Civil War.The tragedy and the glory of a nation during the century.And all these bound with the music of rembetiko,the music of the outcasts.Great direction,great performances,great music.A voyage to history of the first half of the 20th century, but also a voyage to the origins of rembetiko.Realistic and dreamy.An original Greek epic.