Maria (2024)
Set in 1977 Paris, the American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas lives in quiet isolation in a luxurious apartment, her only companions her cherished dogs and two loyal servants willing to cater to her every need. Yet, despite these comforts, Callas appears to have little left.
The legendary diva frequents upscale restaurants, not for the food but for the fleeting recognition she craves, even as she battles profound inner pain. Desperate to reclaim her unparalleled voice, she attempts to sing again, only to face the unbearable reality of its loss.
In his latest biopic, Academy Award-winning Chilean director Pablo Larraín offers an intimate glimpse into Callas’s final days. Through a series of tender vignettes, he captures the poignant routine of a woman in declining health, isolated from friends and visitors. Callas’s fragility as she approaches the end—she passed away later that year—forms the heart of this deeply affecting drama. The film marks the third entry in Larraín’s trilogy on iconic 20th-century women, following the critical successes of Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
Angelina Jolie takes on the role of a lifetime, embodying Callas with extraordinary dedication. To prepare for the part, Jolie underwent months of vocal training, performing her own singing in the film. The biopic premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival, earning an eight-minute standing ovation and igniting immediate Oscar buzz.
Director: Pablo Larraín
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Language: English, Greek
IMDB rating: 6.8/10
Production countries: Italy, Germany, United States
Where to watch: Elli cinema, Cinobo opera, Cinobo Patission, Galaxias cinema, Danaos cinema, Aigli 3D digital, Diana cinema, Cinemax (Nirvana, Aello, Nana, Kifissia), Village cinemas (The Mall, Pangrati, Metro Mall, Rentis), Tria Asteria 3D digital, Sporting digital cinema, Elize cinema, Anoixi Art cinema, Lampros Konstantaras movie theater, Foivos digital cinema, WestCity cinemas, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion), Cineac municipal cinema, Varkiza cinema, Zea cinema, Cine Aliki, Artemis Municipal cinema
Wicked Part I (2024)
Wicked: Part I is the first of a two-part adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical by Schwartz and Holzman, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. The film explores the early years of two young witches-to-be: Elphaba, the green-skinned outcast, and Glinda, the charming and popular girl. Their unlikely friendship blossoms at Shiz University in the Land of Oz but faces a dramatic turning point following an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Cynthia Erivo,Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh
Language: English
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
Production country: United States
Where to watch: Athinaion cinema, Aigli 3D digital, Cinemax (Kifissia), Village cinemas (The Mall, Pangrati, Metro Mall, Rentis), Cinemax (Nirvana, Aello, Nana, Kifissia), Sporting digital cinema, Elize cinema, Anoixi Art cinema, Lampros Konstantaras movie theater, Foivos digital cinema, WestCity cinemas, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion)
Weekend in Taipei (2024)
A former DEA agent and an ex-undercover operative rekindle their romance during a weekend in Taipei. As they reconnect, they’re oblivious to the looming dangers stemming from their past operations.
Director: George Huang
Cast: Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei, Sung Kang
Language: English
IMDB rating: 5.8/10
Production countries: France, Taiwan
Where to watch: Anoixi Art cinema, Village cinemas (The Mall, Rentis), Options Cinemas (Ilion)
The Night My Dad Saved Christmas / La Navidad en sus manos (2023)
Before Christmas, Father Christmas is injured in an accident in Madrid, and his hospital roommate, Salva, steps in to replace Santa so he can save Christmas Day and get his family back.
Director: Joaquín Mazón
Cast: Santiago Segura, Ernesto Sevilla, Unax Hayden, Pablo Chiapella, María Botto, Paulina Dávila, Vadhir Derbez, Joaquín Reyes, Emilio Gavira
Language: Spanish (with Greek audio)
IMDB rating: 4.6/10
Production countries: Spain, Mexico
Where to watch: Danaos cinema, Village cinemas (The Mall, Pangrati, Metro Mall, Rentis), Tria Asteria 3D digital, Cinemax (Aello, Nana), Sporting digital cinema, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion)
13th edition of the Athens Avant-garde Film Festival
Amidst times of polycrisis—climate change, inequality, and relentless wars—the 13th Athens Avant-garde Film Festival (AAGF) aims to spotlight filmmakers who challenge the dominant narrative that “there are no alternatives.” Through its various sections, the festival focuses on works that confront violence against women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with terminal illnesses, while broadly advocating for human rights.
This year’s festival highlights creators who move beyond linear representations of historical time, instead prioritizing narratives that seek to vindicate an oppressed past. Scheduled to take place from December 5–18 at the Greek Film Archive, the AAGF promises to be a space for revolutionary storytelling and fresh perspectives featuring films by artists such as Leo Carax, Miguel Gomes, Jean-Luc Godard, Radu Jude, Antoinetta Angelidi, and others.
You can find the complete program on the festival’s official website.
Special screenings
Occupied City (2023)
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on Bianca Stigter’s book Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940–1945, this international production explores Amsterdam’s history, from Nazi occupation during World War II to the COVID-19 pandemic. McQueen crafts a thought-provoking reflection on memory, time, and the resilience of cities in the face of crisis.
Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Narrated by Melanie Hyams (ENG), Carice van Houten (NL)
Language: English
IMDB rating: 7.3/10
Production country: United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands
Where to watch: Newman cinema (08/12 at 2pm, 09/12 at 8pm and 10/12 at 8pm)
Unclickable (2024)
Step into the shadowy world of digital ad fraud—organized crime’s most profitable enterprise after drug trafficking. A former industry executive pulls the curtain to expose how it’s done, who the victims are, and what role Google and Facebook play in the game.
Director: Babis Makridis
Cast: N/A
Language: English
IMDB rating: 7.3/10
Production country: United States, Greece, Cyprus
Where to watch: Danaos cinema
