Spirtokouto

When this movie came out, it polarized audiences due to the heavy and continuous use of vulgar cussing. It was so over the top, that many, even today consider it to be a comedy-an absurd one at that- and you know what? It does come off as one to an extent.

However, if you take the time to look deeper and try to understand the connection with the average modern Greek decadent suburban family, you will discover another layer of filmmaking, full of realism and raw motion. The characters may feel over the top but I believe it was done on purpose, to convey how horrific every-day life for some people can be. From the father and the mother down to their kids, a feeling of pure social decay permeates.

It's this duality that makes the film interesting in my eyes. It doesn't shove its message in your face but it's there for you to discover if you want to take the time. If you just want to spend some time watching excessive cussing and laughing at all the ludicrous situations that unfold, then you're perfectly welcome to do that. The 18 year old me sure did!

The cynical mid-thirties me is lifting the veil of crude comedy to look what's beneath, whenever I stumble on this film in TV.

One of the greater films ever made in Greece.

A "hardcore snapshot" of Greek reality given by excellent performance from the actors.

The raw truth about the roles inside a typical family in modern Greece filmed by a unique way from Giannis Oikonomidis Dimitris,Maria,Kiki,Giorgos,Vagelis and Loukas could be our father, our mother our sister, brother or friend, our neighbour, or the the owner of the store at the corner, who always fighting with his family for no reason. And at the end everybody is happy and they continue there lives like there's nothing happened.

The actors performance is unmatched. The storyline emphasis is on inner family relationships. The priorities of the family members, the father figure that although means well, he is discredited due to his manners and short temper.

It has a lot to provide to the audience, and requires deep thought and understanding of the characters. The mother figure is shocking. The realism of the film is phenomenal and leaves with unanswered questions, it does not attempt give a clear solution nor an explanation, it just shows the conditions that sadly are more than common specially in west suburbs of Athens.

The verbal insults are emphasised and my personal opinion is that this is so because they shape the reality of the family life. Although in the family they show to be ignored, as in common language, they are copied by the children, and shape their characters.

The father figure focuses on his business and money, while gives a dictator attitude believing its the right way to raise the family as he feels everybody else is incompetent. This attitude is reflected by the indifference and hate of the family towards the father.

The directorhas managed to provide a modern time tragedy.

Features: The father with the archetypes of the 50's applied to modern society, monocrat, strong short-tempered. The role of the mother in shaping the character of the family.

The children who become identical to the parents they have rejected. Overall its a film that requires prior experience (I know I have) to understand the realism of the characters deeply and shows the interactions at multiple levels. Excellent work by Yiannis Economidis.

"Spirtokouto" -> Matchbox metafor of a "small house", if one match burns in the box, all of them are set on fire, burning the box too. (My personal metaphor translation)

Spirtokouto is a really unique film, and takes guts and a great deal of patience to follow. The name, meaning matchbox, is probably meant to suggest the extreme temper of the head character. He actually reminds me a lot of my own father, so I believe the screenplay is fairly realistic. I think this movie is a really good try by the Greek director Giannis Ekonomidis, and it's a really interesting and different one. Everything's promising about it. Not exactly perfect, nothing like the masterpiece "Apo Tin Akri Tis Polis" which I think is the best Greek movie ever; but still pretty good and definitely watchable. I'm looking forward to seeing other movies featuring the cast and the director. Recommended! 7/10

Its a film about a non ordinary day of a non ordinary family that has maximum tense and zero tolerance for each other. The rhythm is furious and the shocking language keeps the interest to the highest degree. The family is totally non functional and clearly everyone has its own agenda and set of priorities A hot day in the middle of the summer is the perfect ignition for a non stop blame game between members of middle - low class family in an ugly Athenian suburb. Errikos Litsis is simply unforgettable in the role of the father as he has to cope with all members of the family without having any thing to lose any more. There are lines and scenes difficult to forget in this "slice of life" movie by Y. Economides. The language is totally sharp and some times goes to the limit but this is totally supported by the script and by the "stormy" rhythm of the film. Surely the best film of Y. Economides and one of the surprises of the Greek independent cinema.