Black Dog (2024)
Black Dog tells the story of Lang, a young ex-convict living in a rural Chinese village who seems indifferent to rejoining society. His life shifts unexpectedly when a local businessman hires him as a dog catcher. Set in 2008 China amid Beijing Olympics preparations, the government initiates a broad “stray removal operation” to clear streets of stray dogs, enhancing the country’s image for investors.
Lang, himself a “stray,” lives on the fringes of society. Like the stray dogs he’s assigned to catch, Lang lacks control over his future. When he forms a bond with one of these dogs, the film delves into questions of freedom, survival, and humanity in a society motivated by appearances and control.
Director: Guan Hu
Cast: Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi
Language: Mandarin (Greek subtitles)
IMDB rating: 7.1/10
Production country: China
Where to watch: Greek Film Archive, Asty cinema, Galazias cinema, Diana cinema, Cinemax (Nana), Sporting digital cinema, Anoixi Art cinema
The Substance (2024)
An aging television star (Demi Moore) becomes increasingly anxious as her beauty fades and her influence wanes. Facing an uncertain future, she risks everything by trying a mysterious black-market drug that temporarily grants her a younger, idealized version of herself. The film explores themes of the fleeting nature of beauty, society’s obsession with eternal youth, and the unending internal struggle many face with their identities as they age.
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Language: English
IMDB rating: 7.6/10
Production countries: France, United Kingdom,United States
Where to watch: Cinobo Opera, Danaos cinema, Cine Pallini, Diana cinema, Cinemax (Kifissia, Aello, Nana), Mpomponiera cinema, Village cinemas (The Mall, Rentis Pangrati), Tria asteria digital cinema, Sporting digital cinema, Anoixi Art cinema, Lampros Konstantaras movie theater, Foivos digital cinema, WestCity cinema, Options Cinemas (Glyfada, Ilion), Cine Arian, Varkiza cinema, Zea cinema, Sissy digital cinema
Hesitation Wound (Tereddüt Çizgisi, 2023)
Canan, a criminal lawyer dividing her time between the courthouse and caring for her ailing mother, faces a pivotal moral decision that will impact the lives of her mother, a judge, and her client—a murder suspect whose defense is taking an unexpected turn in his favor.
Director: Selman Nacar
Cast: Tülin Özen
Language: Turkish (Greek subtitles)
IMDB rating: 6.7/10
Production countries: France, Turkey, Spain, Romania
Where to watch: Astor cinema, The Greek Film Archive, Newman cinema, Aigli 3D digital, Sporting digital cinema, Varkiza cinema, Zea cinema
Crossing (2024)
Retired teacher Lia has promised to find her long-lost niece, Tekla. Her search takes her to Istanbul, where she meets Evrim, a lawyer dedicated to trans rights, bringing her closer than ever to her niece. Crossing premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, earning the Teddy Award – Jury Prize for its focus on LGBTQ themes.
Director: Levan Akin
Cast: Mzia Arabuli, Lucas Kankava, Deniz Dumanlı
Language: Georgian, English, Turkish (Greek subtitles)
IMDB rating: 7.5/10
Production countries: Sweden, Denmark, France, Turkey, Georgia
Where to watch: Cinobo Opera, Galaxias cinema, Aigli 3D digital, Cinobo Patission, Cinemax (Kifissia, Nana)
Canary Black (2024)
CIA operative Avery Graves finds herself blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband. Isolated from her team, she must rely on her underworld contacts to survive and navigate her path forward.
Director: Pierre Morel
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Rupert Friend, Ray Stevenson, Saffron Burrows
Language: English
IMDB rating: 5.3/10
Production countries: United Kingdom, United States, Croatia
Where to watch: Aigli 3D digital, Village Cinemas (The Mall, Metro Mall, Rentis), Cinema (Aello, Nana), WestCity cinemas, Options cinemas (ilion, Glyfada)
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)
This animated feature follows Porky Pig and Daffy Duck as they try to thwart an alien invasion while scrambling to raise enough money to prevent their dilapidated home from demolition. Along the way, they meet Petunia Pig, a local factory scientist connected to the invasion and a clumsy love interest for Porky. This is the first fully animated Looney Tunes feature to receive a worldwide theatrical release.
Director: Pete Browngardt
Cast: Darrick Bachman, Pete Browngardt, Kevin Costello, Andrew Dickman, David Gemmill Alex Kirwan, Ryan Kramer, Johnny Ryan, Eddie Trigueros
Language: English (the film is screened either dubbed in Greek or with original audio)
IMDB rating: 7.2/10
Production countries: United States
Where to watch: The film is screened in most Athens cinemas, however check the following cinemas for the original audio: Options cinemas (Ilion, Glyfada), Village cinemas (Rentis)
The Ballad of Narayama (Narayama bushikô, 1983)
Set in a 19th-century Japanese village, the film explores the tradition of ubasute, where the elderly are taken to a remote mountain to die upon reaching the age of 70. It follows Orin, an elderly woman nearing the end of her days with her family. Directed by Shōhei Imamura, The Ballad of Narayama won the Palme d’Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. Screening for the first time in Greece, this film is part of a tribute to Japanese classic cinema at Studio New Star Art Cinema.
Director: Shōhei Imamura
Cast: Ken Ogata, Sumiko Sakamoto, Takejo Aki
Language: Japanese (Greek subtitles)
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Production countries: Japan
Where to watch: Cine Athenee
Mauthausen (2023)
Danaos Cinema will host a special screening of Mauthausen exclusively this weekend (Nov. 2 & 3). This poetic documentary and unique musical, set in the Mauthausen concentration camp, features the final work of famed composer Mikis Theodorakis (Zorba, Z), and revives the memories of camp survivor and academic Iakovos Kambanellis. Based on Kambanellis’ reflections from a historic 1988 visit and concert at Mauthausen, the film presents his powerful narrative in the place where he first imagined it. Directed by Panagiotis Kountouras and Aristarchos Papadaniil, Mauthausen captures the emotional depth of Theodorakis’ music and Kambanellis’ legacy in a profound tribute.
Director: Panagiotis Kountouras, Aristarchos Papadaniel
Cast: Aristarchos Papadaniel, Aris Zervas, Tasos Pappas-Petridis, Thisvi Vourliotaki, Panagiotis Kountouras, Xenia Alexandrovna, Stavroula Milona, Avigdor (Viktor) Neumann
Language: Greek (English subtitles available)
IMDB rating: 8.4/10
Production countries: Greece
Where to watch: Danaos cinema
