Madalena (1960)
Madalena is a tough seventeen-year-old who is forced to take on her father's ferry business after he dies. She has her many brothers and sisters to support, and there is no one else to do the job. So she rallies her defenses and sets out to give her rival in the ferry business a run for his money. But at the same time, the rival's handsome son is starting to look better and better. Madalena refuses to acknowledge her feelings for him -- though how long she can sustain that denial is the question.
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Such a frustrating disappointment
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Madalena, battles against all odds to fend for her 6 very young brothers and sisters after their father's untimely death. She needs to continue to operate her little sail transport boat, ferrying islanders, in competition with another better established family, doing the same. There are times of sadness, happiness, fear and joy. Aliki's singing, as always adds such a happy mood to the unfolding story. The movie is filmed completely out in the open, with real scenes and obviously on an island, which is quite unlike most movies of this era, that were filmed indoors due to small filming budgets. It would be great to have seen this movie in colour, because the scenic shots capture the essence and character of what Greece and its islands are known for. The sound quality and editing is of a high standard and the continuity is professional. Once again Dimitris Papamichael (a very young one at that) plays the leading male role with a comical and guiding light performance by Pantelis Zervos as the village priest. Then of course, another up and coming famous Greek actor (also very young version of) - Thanasis Vegos who plays the village "bobby" and a funny one at that. Great movie. Left me with admiration for what some of the poor Greek Islanders had to face in the mid 1900's in order to survive. What it meant to be proud of one's achievements, no matter how small and to be happy with what one has. Totally in contrast to today's greedy, materialistic and commercial world we encourage.It left me with a warm, sad and thoughtful feeling. It was worth the time.
SPOILER Excellent performance of Vougiouklaki, and awarded in film festival of Thessaloniki as best actress. Beautiful landscape on a small Greek island, and nice plot reflecting perfectly the Greek rural society and its customs and ethics of 1950's! Combines dramatic and comedian elements very creatively. It's the story of a young woman having to take care of her small brothers and sisters after their father's death. Her income sources from her boat by which she transfers passengers to the opposite coast. She falls in love with a competitive boatowner (Papamihael) but doesn't admit it, even to herself. Finally they get married giving happy end to the movie!
All you would want from a movie!! Brilliant humour and lightness, a lively beautiful actress, an amazing scenery on a beautiful island with stunning pictures of the blue mediterannean sea. Fantastic music, and strong deep emotions of all sorts. Sadness, despair, lightness, hope, romance, simple beauty. After you have watched it you get an amazing inspired feeling of lightness and depth and joy. Feelings that linger and makes you want to watch the movie again and again not only for the insightful life lessons that lie behind but just for the deep joy of watching it.. The will and fight of the individual, the lovely Madalena who goes against the short sighted society she was born in and fights it, who fights the blows of destiny as well and keeps standing not betraying her dreams and her nature. The characters and the scenario is genuinely funny and dramatic at the same time. You just need to watch the film... Simply put, it is a masterpiece !!
An excellent greek movie in a sunny island. Comedy and drama, quarrel and romance, duty and love. With the perfect direction of Dinos Dimopoulos and the excellent music of Manos Xajidakis.I recommend it to everyone in any place around the world.