Ta kokkina fanaria

One of the best Greek films ever. The mere fact that so many talented well-known actors manage to blend together so masterfully without any one overshadowing another, makes this film a wonderful example of how good classic films are made! A definite must-see for anyone who truly appreciates cinema.

A movie that excels in direction, performances, cinematography, music, screenplay originality, music etc. and also stands the test of time. By any standard, a masterpiece!

After viewing this movie, it will be impossible to believe that what you just saw was merely a number of actors playing their role for a film. Instead, you get the impression that those people were actually leaving there and those were the lives they led. I believe that this is pure art! No need to invest a fortune for an impressive production as long as there are highly skilled actors and directors who do an excellent job of letting you enter the magic world of the movie and share their experience. The underground atmosphere is depicted in an excellent even nostalgic way. The music is captivating. Tzeni Karezi will always remain in Greek people's hearts no matter how many years will pass. If you really love the art of pure cinematography your shouldn't miss this movie.

"Ta Kokkina Fanaria" (Red Latterns) is one of the most celebrated greek films. Some of the most popular actors of Greece star in it. The movie offers excellent performances especially by the GREAT Manos Katrakis, Jenny Karezi and Alexandra Ladikou. It managed to be one of the four Greek films nominated for an Academy Award for Best Language Film. The director George Javellas did a marvellous job in a film that it's considered a classic here in Greece. Don't miss it.

Although many of us disregard Greece's film production,(which by the way exists over fifty years), "ta kokkina fanaria" is considered as one of the finest examples of Greek filmography (along with M. Kakoyianni's "Stella" , G. Javella's "kalpiki lira" and plenty worth-talking films produced on the 50s and 60s).The film is about a shady neighborhood in Piraeus , where most of the habitants are whores.The story is not the subject i am focusing on in this film ,(even though script is really well written). Main subject is atmosphere.. Most of the film is "steamed" by an almost underground, even mythical attitude , that leaves an irresistibly charming sense of decadence, "forcing" you to ignore any vulgarity that may seemingly exists .. The theatrical-like set is giving a quite real (although sometimes affectedly graphic) taste of the "underworld". The heroines,(which have a lot of common characteristics with ancient-tragedies heroines), are incredible convincing at their prostitute-roles, (remarkable place posses Tzenny Karezi , whose acting power just ties the viewer down); also, two of the most acclaimed Greek actors acting , G.Fountas and M.Katrakis.Their acting is something more than the interpretations we are more or less used to.It is strong and genuine,without even a pinch of exaggeration, giving the impression that they were born in there.. I thing that what we have here ,in general , is some of the finest interpretations of the last 40 years. Viewing this picture,surely confirms the well-known "rule" that quality does not necessarily affected by "low" budget, as long as talented people exists that have desire and freedom to act at the highest level of their artistic skills.