Spirtokouto

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.

What can anyone say about this film? So claustrophobic and raw, that in the end, it isn't for anyone. Whilst some people see only green trees and white clouds, somewhere else, inside small houses and not so small famillies, the butchery continues. It needs not to be physical. The hateful stares, the each other's ignorance, the disorientation, the false priorities, the drowning in a a small teaspoon of water are an everyday . Under the heat of the greek summer, are you ready to see through the keyhole?

I became interested in watching Spirtokouto after reading an interview with Yiannis Economidis. I was intrigued by his views on realism and on how films should, among other things, pull no punches when depicting the painfulness of dysfunctional families. In that respect, Spirtokouto is very much on the mark. However, I found the movie started grating on my nerves after about 30 minutes. As it progressed I felt like switching off my DVD, but I finally decided to give Economidis the benefit of the doubt. The movie does have some positive elements. Erricos Litsis (Dimitris) and Eleni Kokkidou (Maria) give very compelling performances and have all the venom you'd expect to see in a middle-aged couple trapped in their marriage. But, unfortunately, after a certain point the shouting and insults start appearing gratuitous. When the movie ended I heaved a sigh of relief, glad that it was over. Spirtokouto is not a good example of modern Greek cinema, despite the fact that Economids is capable of better things.

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

Great movie ! Great Acting ! Economidis made a powerful real film - everybody has to see that unique Greek production.One of the best Greek movies I've seen the last years unfortunately without the success it deserves!

Everybody at "Spirtokouto" lives in his own world making the leading role Dimitris(father)going crazy...

Never before such realistic movie and dialogues heard in Greek cinema!!! Erricos Litsis,Eleni Kokkidou,Aggeliki Papoulia perfect performing!

Looking forward to more Yannis Economidis