MWFF 2018: In This Land Nobody Knew How to Cry

IN THIS LAND NOBODY KNEW HOW TO CRY

WORLD COMPETITION

Montreal World Film Festival / FFM
Greece, France / 2018 / 90 min. / English subtitles

The acclaimed Greek director Giorgos Panousopoulos returns after 14 years hiatus back to the cinematographic scene with his eighth feature film In This Land Nobody Knew How to Cry, for which he also wrote the screenplay. Although at a first glance it might appear that this film is only an off-beat comedy, it actually examines some fundamental issues how our modern world functions, and presents a viable alternative established by a small Greek island inhabitants, deeply based on historical traditions.

It was filmed exclusively on the idyllic island of Ikaria, which is well known for the exceptionally high life expectancy of its inhabitants and their relaxed philosophy of life. It becomes a setting for the imaginary island of Armenaki where people declared NO to money, banks, the usual monetary way of living, and establish their own simple system of paying taxes, solving disputes, educating theur children, and conducting the everyday life duties and transactions. The film introduces the Greek perspective, the way of thinking, and how it has been altered before and after the financial crisis. The islanders cope remarkably well within their simple rules, and their own understanding as what represents abundance, happiness, love and freedom. Their lifestyle is both remarkable and very seductive. 

The film tells a story of a European official, Felix (Serge Requet-Barville), who arrives to the island with the sole purpose of examining the island's "investment opportunities”. He is accompanied by his assistant Aura (Margarita Panousopoulou). There, he falls in love with an enigmatic widow Chrysa (Foteini Tsakiri), while Aura meets Vitorio (Babis Chatzidakis), the island's school teacher. A transformation takes place as the island has a magical ability to change people's lives.

SYNOPSES:

Something magical happens when a French member of the European Parliament and a young Greek economist come to Armenaki, a small Aegean island, to report on its investment potential. They are entranced by the subversive charm of a place without banks or even money, where there are no cars, streets, or rooms to let. In different ways, both visitors will allow themselves to be drawn into the island’s vortex of love. Giorgos Panousopoulos.

For more information on the festival visit the Montreal World Film Festival's website.