23rd Athens International Film Festival: Highlights of Saturday 23rd September
Robin Campillo in Athens with “120 BPM”, the Grand Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival, Joe Cocker’s soul & blues music, the riveting crime thriller that won the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, the 100th film of legendary Takashi Miike, the unpretentious coming-of-age story and the winner of the Jeddy Jury at the Berlin Film Festival are the must-seen movies of the third day of the 23rd Opening Nights.
Moby Dick
23/9/2017, 17:30, Danaos 1
It is hard to take on the work of a literary giant, especially when no one before had dared transfer it to the big screen. Huston succeeded, adding his signature to a brave and remarkable adaptation, starring Gregory Peck in the legendary role of Captain Ahab as well as the imposing Orson Welles.
Lane 1974
23/9/2017, 17:45, Ideal
The utopia of the 60s may well and truly be over, however, an unrelenting hippie and mother of three continues to move from commune to commune. Her 13-year old daughter wants to put an end to this ongoing journey at any cost. This unpretentious coming-of- age story, based on real-life events, and infused with Californian sunlight won the New American Cinema Competition award at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Joe Cocker: Mad Dog With Soul
23/9/2017, 19:00, Odeon Opera 1
John Edgington manages to neatly fit the fifty year career of one of the most important white British soul and blues singers in his documentary. The film follows Joe Cocker's early days as a musician in Sheffield pubs in the 60s all the way to the solidification of his musical status in a career full of drama and adventure which become apparent in his raspy voice.
Defiant Lives
23/9/2017, 19:30, Οnassis Cultural Centre
Activists with disabilities, in action. The Anglo-Saxon version of the fight of emancipated people and people without guardians, for social justice and a claim for their political and social rights achieved through the use of a significant body of archival material accompanied by a contemporary narrative as well as well-founded interviews with academics and activists of the disability studies field. Sarah Barton's “Defiant Lives” constitutes a guide for the emancipation of disabled people around the world, and promises 90 rewarding minutes for all those fighting for dignity and justice. Free entry
120 Beats per Minute / 120 Battements par Minute
23/9/2017, 19:45, Ideal
The film that brought a tear to Pedro Almodovar's eyes, president of the recent Cannes Film Festival jury, chronicles a group of people in the 80s who passionately opposed the world's indifference to a powerful and deadly disease. Campillo's direction, imbued with youthful momentum, uniquely combines the collective with the individual and the personal with the political. Campillo presents the audience with an emotional grenade. Winner of the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival. In attendance of the director Robin Campillo and lead actor Arnaud Valois.
Close-Knit / Karera ga honki de amu toki wa
23/9/2017, 20:15, Danaos 1
11-year old Tomo finds refuge at her uncle's house where he lives with Rinko, his transexual companion, after her mother abandons her. As Rinko initiates Tomo into the mysticism of knitting, a new loving family is born. The director of “Rent-a- Cat” offers up yet another ode to optimism where love overcomes all prejudice in this little gem dominated by pastel colours. Winner of the Teddy Jury Award at the Berlin Film Festival.
Ava
23/9/2017, 21:00, Odeon Opera 1 (P)
Nothing can spoil the summer of 13-year-old Ava, not even the news that she will soon be losing her eyesight. A genuine specimen of Nouvelle Vague, the most alluring debut in the Cannes Critics' Week is a euphoric ode to the ecstatic awakening of puberty and the awkward passage on the way to adulthood. Director in attendance
The Nile Hilton Incident
23/9/2017, 23:00, Danaos 1
Just before the dawn of the Arab Spring, a corrupt Egyptian police inspector is tasked with the investigation of the murder of a famous singer at the luxurious Nile Hilton hotel. The investigation comes to a stop when all evidence points to the President's friend. The police inspector is determined that justice be served at the same time that a revolution breaks out in his country. Tarik Saleh's riveting crime thriller, a film noir set in the dark back alleys of Cairo, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Blade of the Immortal / Mugen no Junin
23/9/2017, 23:30, Odeon Opera 1
The 100th film of the legendary Takashi Miike has as many battles as all of his previous 99 films combined. A cursed, immortal samurai meets a girl whose parents were slaughtered by a gang of swordsmen. In order to save his soul, he vows to help her get revenge. This after hours film, based on a popular manga comic, is this year's gift from the Cannes Film Festival.
PARTY
23:00 "120 BPM"
"120 Beats Per Minute" after-party, with show by Filothei & Darla Cubit. DJ set by Josifina Gkioka from Best 92.6 at Six D.O.G.S (Avramiotou 6-8, Monastiraki, Athens)
