Gennitria

A Greek man is trying to keep his shop afloat while also supporting his daughter studying for her degree overseas – all against the reality of the country and economy collapsing around him.

When I watched this film I presumed it must have been made very recently as it felt very topical in regard to the current situation in Greece. Seeing that the film was originally finished and released in 2013 was a depressing reminder of how long the Greek people have been suffering because of economic decisions and consequences far beyond them as individuals. The images we are used to seeing is that of people out in the streets protesting or rejecting the proposed impacts on their lives, however this film does a good job of showing us a different side – which is an approach that I think I would take myself. This would be putting my head down and hoping it all works out, since it would be a situation I would feel so powerless in. This is more or less the approach of the lead character here, and it is engaging to see his world get smaller and problems bigger while he lacks a trigger to do something about it. In showing this the film does take a slow pace and easy manner to do it, but the contrast is always there.

The contrast between the real world and his world is made pretty clear by the end (not the most subtle to literally have riots happening in the background to his own personal conflict – but it works). The conclusion is equally depressing as it does lack a sense of hope, however it is that next level of depressing when you consider that it also feels entirely plausible and convincing in the context of the story we are seeing. The performances are controlled and match the tone set by the film as a whole. It is not one that will be generating lots of internet buzz from viewers, but it is nonetheless a slowly engaging piece which links to a bigger, topical issue, while also telling a smaller human story.