Greek Docs, Chinese Drama, Mafia Thrills, and Family Struggles in Athens Cinemas This Week

Black Bag (2025)

Black Bag is an American spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, with a screenplay by David Koepp. The film stars Cate Blanchett as Kathryn St. Jean, an intelligence agent suspected of treason, and Michael Fassbender as her husband, fellow agent George Woodhouse, who is assigned to investigate her. The narrative explores George’s internal conflict between his loyalty to his marriage and his duty to his country. The ensemble cast also includes Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan.

Early reviews from international screenings have been positive, with a whopping 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Disappointment media praised the movie as “a gripping film that breezes past you in an instant.” Pending its release on Friday, it is expected to do well in the box office, but its potential accolades will become clearer following its performance in theaters.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, Pierce Brosnan
Language: English
IMDB rating: 7.4/10
Production country: The United States
Where to watch: Cinobo Opera, Mikrokosmos, Athinaion, Nirvana, Aigli, Kifissia Cinemax, Village cinemas, Tria Asteria, Aello ,Nana, Sporting digital cinema, Anoixi art cinema, Lampros Konstantaras movie Theater, Foivos digital cinema, WestCity cinemas, Options cinemas, Cineac, Cine Aliki, Artemis (Markopoulo), Varkiza cinema

Hard Truths (2024)

Written and directed by Mike Leigh, Hard Truths follows the life of Pansy Deacon, a depressed and irritable woman grappling with family relationships and her own anxiety. Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy and Michele Austin as her jovial sister Chantelle, the film delves into the complex dynamics of family, mental health, and personal growth.

Since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hard Truths has been lauded for its exceptional screenplay, direction, and particularly Jean-Baptiste’s standout performance. The film was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. Jean-Baptiste’s portrayal of Pansy earned her multiple Best Actress nominations, including at the Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and Gotham Awards, and she won Best Actress at the NYFCC, LAFCA, and NSFC, marking a significant milestone as the first woman of color to achieve such a trifecta.

Director: Mike Leigh
Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett, Ani Nelson, Sophia Brown, Jonathan Livingstone
Language: English
IMDB rating: 7.3/10
Production countries: United Kingdom, Spain
Where to watch: Astor, Cinobo Opera, Danaos

 Caught by the tides (2024, Feng liu yi dai)

Directed by Jia Zhangke, Caught by the Tides is a Chinese drama that spans over two decades, following the evolving relationship between Qiao Qiao (played by Zhao Tao), a working-class woman from Datong, and Guao Bin (Li Zhubin), her ambitious partner. Beginning in 2001, the narrative traces Qiao’s journey as she searches for Bin, navigating personal and societal transformations across China, including the displacement caused by the Three Gorges Dam and the economic boom of Guangdong Province. By incorporating footage collected over 22 years, the film uniquely blends fiction and documentary elements, portraying the rapid changes in modern China over two decades.

Since its premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, Caught by the Tides has garnered critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and exploration of China’s societal evolution. The film was nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or, marking Jia Zhangke’s sixth competition for this honor. It also received a nomination for the Cinema Eye Honors’ Heterodox Award.

Director: Jia Zhangke
Cast: Zhao Tao
Language: Mandarin (Greek subtitles)
IMDB rating: 6.6/10
Production country: China
Where to watch: Asty cinema

Sicilian Letters (Iddu, 2024)

Sicilian Letters is an Italian crime drama directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza. The film stars Elio Germano as Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro and Toni Servillo as Catello, an operative in the Italian secret service. The plot follows their intricate correspondence in the early 2000s as Catello, hoping to revive his political career, aids in the search for Denaro, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse game.

Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, the film received attention as a contender for the Golden Lion. Critics praised its exploration of Sicilian mafia culture and the stellar performances of Germano and Servillo.

Director: Fabio Grassadonia
Cast: Elio Germano, Toni Servillo
Language: Italian, Sicilian (Greek subs)
IMDB rating: 6.1/10
Production countries: Italy, France
Where to watch: Galaxias cinema, Avana, Village cinemas, WestCity cinema, Options cinemas

Greek Documentaries

Yiannis Theodorakis “Yes…we can hope again”

Yiannis Theodorakis “Yes…we can hope again” sheds light on Giannis Theodorakis, brother of internationally renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis. Greek directors Stelios and Antonis Diamantis aim to portray the journalist, poet, writer, and devoted defender of democracy through meticulous research, as well as interviews and testimonies from those who lived, worked, and struggled alongside him. The film presents previously unpublished historical events and lesser-known aspects of his life—his relationships with family, friends, and fellow activists, his work in journalism and poetry, and his bond with his brother, Mikis Theodorakis.”

Directors: Stelios Diamantis, Antonis Diamantis
Language: Greek
Production country: Greece
Where to watch: Studio New Star art cinema