Two well-to-do Athenians journey by ship to a small village. Pavlos (Dimitris Horn) is a writer, and Antoni (Notis Peryalis) is an architect and older friend. A native convinces the two to stay at the residence of a widow (Eleni Zafirou), rather than book a room at the hotel. The first woman they meet on the island is the widow's daughter, Marina (Ellie Lambeti), who wears a black dress throughout the film, as though in mourning. As Pavlos learns the history of her family, he starts to care emotionally for this sad-eyed woman.
Her mother was widowed years ago. Her looks fading, she (the widow) still longs for men, and has become an object of ridicule on this small island. Her son Mitso (Anestis Vlahos) is strong-headed in defense of his mother's virtue, but he lacks the physical strength to face down her detractors. In addition to her mother's woes, daughter Marina is tormented by her own memories. Marina's sister was not attractive, and, unfortunately, loved an egotistical braggard, Christos (George Foundas). He attempted to use the homely sister to get to the attractive one. His unwanted attentions toward Marina, and his unkind remarks about the sister led to the tragic suicide by drowning (of the sister).
The arrival of Pavlos intensifies Christos' desire/jealousy, and he attempts to play a practical joke on Pavlos. An unintended consequence of this prank is a horrible event, something so jarring that no one (including the audience) could have foreseen or imagined such an outcome.
This early film by Cacoyannis is photographed in b&w, with a very sharply focused foreground/background. Absolutely authentic in its setting, the movie is a landmark in Greek cinema. Ellie Lambeti (Marina) is natural looking, lovely in sad, unspoken ways, and very empathetic. Pavlos, so much more worldly, allows himself to be deeply touched by this simple, yet emotionally complex woman.
Her mother was widowed years ago. Her looks fading, she (the widow) still longs for men, and has become an object of ridicule on this small island. Her son Mitso (Anestis Vlahos) is strong-headed in defense of his mother's virtue, but he lacks the physical strength to face down her detractors. In addition to her mother's woes, daughter Marina is tormented by her own memories. Marina's sister was not attractive, and, unfortunately, loved an egotistical braggard, Christos (George Foundas). He attempted to use the homely sister to get to the attractive one. His unwanted attentions toward Marina, and his unkind remarks about the sister led to the tragic suicide by drowning (of the sister).
The arrival of Pavlos intensifies Christos' desire/jealousy, and he attempts to play a practical joke on Pavlos. An unintended consequence of this prank is a horrible event, something so jarring that no one (including the audience) could have foreseen or imagined such an outcome.
This early film by Cacoyannis is photographed in b&w, with a very sharply focused foreground/background. Absolutely authentic in its setting, the movie is a landmark in Greek cinema. Ellie Lambeti (Marina) is natural looking, lovely in sad, unspoken ways, and very empathetic. Pavlos, so much more worldly, allows himself to be deeply touched by this simple, yet emotionally complex woman.