THE SHEPHERDS OF DISORDER, 1967
(Oi voskoi)
Directed by Nikos Papatakis
120 minutes
In Greek with English subtitles

Those who truly love movies know that the real thrill of cinema is found in small, often unknown films, rather than manufactured, big budget productions - whether it's a Superhero film or an expensive netflixed Scorsese flick. Secretly someone like Scorsese actually knows this also, but he doesn't have the heart to admit it. So instead of a spectacle with famous stars, here we have a rare, long buried cinematic treasure that falls into the "Hellenic weird wave" category. Its director, Nikos Papatakis, was an avant-garde producer (Jean Genet's Un chant d'amour) in France before making his own films in Greece.

In the end, this surreal film captures the wild anarchy of the Greek spirit. It is about a young couple's fight for freedom in a world where there are power struggles around every corner. The story follows the conflict between two young men, one rich and one poor, both fighting for the landowner's daughter. Since there is a family feud involving an illicit love story, it does have that Romeo-and-Juliet element, only here it is put through a blender of insanity, humiliation, black comedy and class struggle. The entire Greek society is unhinged in this flick, and is coming apart at the seams. This modern day Greek tragedy is the favorite film of renowned contemporary director Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, The Lobster). Outrageously rare screening.

One charmed viewer concludes: "Mix a few sprigs of Pasolini with a few slices of Buñuel, fill glass with ouzo, shake."

Doors open: 19.30
Film Starts: 20.00