Stone Years

One of the originators of the New Greek Cinema, Voulgaris tackles the post-civil war 'Stone Years' (1954 to '74), of the right wing Karamanlis and Colonels' junta, by elaborating the torn relationship of provincial leftists Babis (Bazaka) and Eleni (Martika). The former is imprisoned for pamphleteering, the latter is an aspirant doctor forced into hiding while, ridiculously, her reputation is developed as a notorious Mata Hari. For the normally objective and subtly ironic Voulgaris, this comes close to an angry and condemnatory work. At pains to emphasise the couple's dignity, stoicism and romantic commitment, which survives being together only 40 hours in 15 years, he nevertheless ends the film with a plaintive, accusatory stare at camera.