2023 will be the third year for GIFFT and it is packed with full length, short films and documentaries from Greece or films produced by Greeks outside of Greece. The Greek film industry has developed to a level of excellence over the last 10 years and here is a chance for Canadians to immerse themselves in it showing feature films in 11 Canadian cites. Feature films will be in person but the non “top tier” full length films may be seen online throughout Canada. For further information including cost and scheduling go to www.gifft.ca.
“Scarpedicemente” is brought to the screen by Olga Montes and John Vamvas veterans of theatre and that stage intensity shines in this film. We start the journey with a mix of fantasy, movie nostalgia and some dark humour. Initially you may wonder in what direction is the movie headed and it is headed into deadly serious territory. Montes and Vamvas exhibit an extraordinary range of talents playing with various ranges of emotions.
It is their one year marriage anniversary which Luigi (John Vamvas) and Holly (Olga Montes) celebrate at the Lost Vegas Motel. It is the hotel room where they made passionate love a year ago. And Holly and Luigi want to repeat the intensity of their initial sexual liaison assisted with a bit of dirty talk.
Luigi is a mobster believing he will be taking out Uncle Charlie for the top boss position. Holly is a none too bright floozie. That smile on your face will disappear as matters take a very serious turn. I can’t reveal much more other than Luigi and Holly are far more complex and nuanced as you might have initially contemplated. This is a very clever and layered plot.
There is the intensity of the stage in Vamvas and Montes’ performances but there is the creativity of filming that create an element of film noir particularly at the outset of the film. There are countless references to iconic films and lines in this film.
Vamvas and Victoria Sanchez co-directed and Vamvas and Montes were co-writers.
I have rated this Canadian film a 96 which ties it with four other movies as in my best of 2023. One of the other films is a Greek film “Holy Emmy”.
This is an in-theatre film so go to the GIFFT website and see if it is playing in your Canadian city. In Toronto it screens at Innis Town Hall Cinema on October 4th.
Set the Bar 