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The Photograph

1986, Movie, NR, 102 mins

The Photograph: Review

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A superbly acted allegory with both national and social implications relating to the political climate in Greece from 1971 to July 1974 when government was returned to the people. The film begins in 1971 in Kastoria as Retsos, the persecuted son of a communist, leaves his homeland for a better life in Paris. He moves in with Tsangas, an illiterate distant cousin twice his age, who lives and works as a furrier in a rundown French suburb. Among Retsos' possessions is a photograph of a singer named Joy, a picture Retsos found and treasures as a good luck charm. When Tsangas see the photo and asks about, Retsos lies and says the woman is his sister. Tsangas is smitten with the woman and it isn't long before Retsos little lie leads to tragic complications. Voted Best Picture by the Panhellenic Union of Film Critics and chosen as Best Screenplay at the 1986 Thessaloniki Film Festival (an award that producer-director-writer Papatakis refused), THE PHOTOGRAPH paints a remarkable picture of the Greek state of affairs during a politically explosive period. A very talky picture (the film's major fault), THE PHOTOGRAPH is blessed with two excellent lead performances and a powerful script that holds nothing back. Though the photography is merely adequate, the film does succeed in conveying its Greek culture even though most of the story takes place in France--an atmospheric achievement for which Papatakis and his cinematographer Stavrou must be commended. The excellent score by Chalaris is also a strong contribution. (In Greek; English subtitles.) leave a comment
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