Latest Cinema Releases: Wha To See in Athens Dec. 19-26


Yparho (2024)

Whether or not you’re a fan of Stelios Kazantzidis, one of Greece’s most iconic singers of Laïkó (Greek popular music), Yparho delivers a compelling biopic crafted by three Greek directors. This film chronicles the life of the legendary singer whose timeless songs continue to resonate 23 years after his passing. A Pontic refugee who rose above adversity with talent and resilience, Kazantzidis’ story is brought to life through an exploration of his personal relationships, struggles, and devoted fanbase. The film also pays homage to his most cherished songs, which remain ingrained in Greece’s cultural fabric.

Director: Yorgos Tsemberopoulos
Cast: Christos Mastoras, Asimenia Voulioti, Agoritsa Oikonomou, Klelia Renesi, Dimitris Kapouranis, Anna Symeonidou
Language: Greek
IMDB rating: 7.9/10
Production country: Greece
Where to watch: The Greek Film Archive, Elli cinema, Cinobo Opera, Mikrokosmos, Athinaion cinema,Aigli 3D digital, Cinemax (Nirvana, Aello, Nana, Kifissia),Diana, Tria asteria 3D digital, Trianon, Elize, Sporting digital cinema, Anoixi Art cinema,  Lampros Konstantaras, Foivos diital cinema,   WestCity cinemas, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion), Mun. Cinema Oneiro Rentis, Mun. cinema Cineac, Cine Paradeisos, Artemis Municipal Cinema

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Building on the unparalleled legacy of The Lion King—one of the most celebrated animated films of all time— Mufasa: The Lion King revisits the classic formula with a fresh perspective. Set against the stunning backdrop of the African wilderness, this story traces the tumultuous coming-of-age journeys of two orphaned lion brothers, Mufasa and Taka (later Scar). With its gripping narrative, breathtaking visuals, and emotional depth, the film immerses viewers in the raw beauty and danger of the savannah, echoing the timeless themes of family, destiny, and survival.

Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Blue Ivy Carter
Language: originally audio in English, screened in Greek cinemas with dubbed audio
IMDB rating: 6.8/10
Production country: The United States
Where to watch: You may find the film in most Greek cinemas and with the original English audio in the following: Danaos cinema, Village cinemas (The Mall, Pangrati, Rentis, Metro Mall), Cinemax (Aello, Nirvana),  Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion)

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Dane-ye anjir-e ma’abed 2024)

Set amidst the political turmoil of Tehran, Mohammad Rasoulof’s latest film deftly blends thriller elements with poignant social commentary. The story follows Iman, a longtime civil servant, as he spirals into paranoia after his firearm mysteriously disappears. His suspicions fall on his wife and daughters, driving him to impose harsh restrictions that fracture his family bonds. Against this backdrop, Rasoulof delves into the pressing issue of women’s independence in a society deeply entrenched in patriarchal norms. Selected for competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it garnered multiple awards, the film’s journey was marked by Rasoulof’s own defiance—fleeing to Germany and attending the Cannes red carpet despite an eight-year prison sentence imposed by Iranian authorities.

Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
Cast: Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi, Amineh Arani
Language: Persian
IMDB rating: 7.6/10
Production countries: Iran, Germany, France
Where to watch: Athinaion, Aigli 3D digital, Village cinemas (The Mall, Pangrati, Metro Mall, Rentis), Cinemax (Nirvana, Aello, Nana, Kifissia), Sporting digital cinema, Anoixi Art cinema,  WestCity cinemas, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion)

Elskling (2024)

Norwegian filmmaker Lilja Ingolfsdottir makes her feature debut with Elskling, a tender exploration of love, resilience, and self-discovery. The film follows Maria, a mother of four, as she navigates the emotional upheaval of her husband’s sudden decision to end their marriage. Faced with the collapse of her world, Maria must reconcile her past and find a way to move forward in this quietly powerful portrait of personal reinvention.

Director: Lilja Ingolfsdottir
Cast: Helga Guren, Oddgeir Thune, Heidi Gjermundsen Broch, Marte Solem, Elisabeth Sand
Language: Norwegian
IMDB rating: 8.2/10
Production country: Norway
Where to watch: The Greek Film Archive, Galaxias cinema, Athina cinema, Diana cinema, Sporting digital cinema

Unrest (Unrueh, 2022)

New technologies are transforming a 19th-century watchmaking town in Switzerland. Josephine, a young factory worker, produces the unrest wheel, swinging in the heart of the mechanical watch. Exposed to new ways of organizing money, time and labor, she gets involved with the local anarchist movement.

Director: Cyril Schäublin
Cast: Clara Gostynski, Alexei Evstratov, Monika Stalder, Hélio Thiémard
Language: Swiss German
IMDB rating: 5.6/10
Production country: Switzerland
Where to watch: Newman Cinema

Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (2024)

On a snowy Christmas Eve, a family gathers in their ancestral home, potentially for the last time. As generational conflicts bubble to the surface, one teenager breaks away, venturing into the wintry suburb with her friends to carve out her own sense of belonging. This poignant drama captures the bittersweet essence of change, memory, and the passing of traditions.

Director: Tyler Thomas Taormina
Cast: Matilda Fleming, Maria Dizzia, Ben Shenkman, Francesca Scorsese, Elsie Fisher, Lev Cameron, Sawyer Spielberg, Gregg Turkington
Language: English
IMDB rating: 5.3/10
Production country: The United States
Where to watch: Cinobo Opera, Cinobo Patission, Galaxias, Cine Varkiza

142 Years (2024)

In Greek prisons, thousands of refugees and migrants face disproportionate sentences for trafficking. 142 Years follows Jason Apostolopoulos, a humanitarian rescuer, as he joins a global effort to overturn the convictions of three individuals—one sentenced to 142 years and the others to 50 years each. This gripping courtroom drama, unfolding over the course of a year, sheds light on systemic injustices and the relentless fight for freedom in the face of prejudice and legal obstacles.

Director: Stelios Kouloglou
Cast: N/A
IMDB rating: 8.2/10
Production country: Greece
Where to watch: Studio New Star Art cinema



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