Topio stin omichli: A Masterpiece of Greek Cinema in 720p

Topio stin omichli, or Landscape in the Mist, is a 1988 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos. The film was selected as the Greek entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. A critics’ poll by the Village Voice included it in the 100 Best Films of the 20th Century list. The film is the third installment in Angelopoulos’ Trilogy of Silence, following Voyage to Cythera (1984) and The Beekeeper (1986).

Plot

The film follows the journey of two children, Voula and Alexandros, who want to see their father, whom they have never met before. Their mother tells them he lives in Germany and so they secretly leave their home to find him. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and hardships, such as being removed from a train for not having a ticket, being raped by a truck driver, and being chased by the police. They also meet different people who help them or hinder them, such as a young man named Orestis who is the driver of a traveling theater troupe, a friendly sailor who gives them a ride on his boat, and a mysterious stranger who claims to be their father. The film ends with a surreal and ambiguous scene where the children reach the border of Germany and see a giant wall covered with barbed wire. They climb over it and disappear into the mist.

Themes

The film explores themes such as childhood innocence, loss of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic and indifferent world. The children represent the hope and purity of human nature, while the adults they encounter are often cruel, selfish, or indifferent. The film also reflects the political and social situation of Greece in the 1980s, which was marked by economic crisis, social unrest, and cultural isolation. The film uses symbolism and metaphors to convey its message, such as the mist that obscures the landscape and the reality of the children’s situation, the wall that separates them from their destination and their father figure, and the theater troupe that performs scenes from Greek history and mythology.

Style

The film is known for its distinctive style that combines realism and surrealism, long takes and slow pacing, minimal dialogue and expressive music. The film has a total of 80 shots in its 126-minute running time, creating a sense of continuity and immersion. The film also uses natural lighting and locations to create a realistic atmosphere. The film’s music score was composed by Eleni Karaindrou, who collaborated with Angelopoulos on several other films. The music consists of melancholic piano melodies that contrast with the harshness of the images.

Reception

The film received critical acclaim from both Greek and international critics. It won several awards at various film festivals, such as the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Golden Alexander at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. The film was also praised by renowned filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, who called it “one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen”.

Analysis

The film can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life, where the children face various challenges and experiences that shape their identity and worldview. The film also questions the concept of fatherhood, both literally and symbolically. The children’s quest for their father is also a quest for their origin, their identity, and their meaning. The father figure represents authority, guidance, and protection, but also absence, deception, and disappointment. The film suggests that the father does not exist, or at least not in the way the children imagine him. The film also explores the contrast between reality and illusion, between history and myth, and between nature and culture. The film shows how reality is often harsh, cruel, and incomprehensible, while illusion offers comfort, hope, and beauty. The film also shows how history and myth are intertwined in the Greek culture, and how they influence the present. The film also shows how nature and culture are in conflict, and how the children are drawn to nature as a source of freedom and wonder.

Legacy

The film is widely regarded as one of the best films of Angelopoulos and one of the most important films of Greek cinema. The film has influenced many other filmmakers, such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan, who cited it as one of his favorite films. The film has also been referenced in other works of art, such as the song “Landscape in the Mist” by the band Anathema, which was inspired by the film’s ending scene. The film has also been studied and analyzed by many scholars and critics, who have praised its aesthetic, philosophical, and political aspects.