Monday, January 14, 2013

Unfair World (2012)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)
Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)
Genre: Comedy Drama
Director:Filippos Tsitos
Starring: Antonis Kafetzopoulos, Christos Stergioglou, Theodora Tzimou
Language: Greek
Duration: 107 min.
Rating: 7.1
Summary:
A middle-aged policeman tired of the corruption and bureaucracy, finds himself in a terrible dilemma after he tries to save an innocent man.
Unfair World is a film directed by Filippos Tsitos, co-written with Dora Masklavanou. It premiered at the 2011 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it won the awards for Best Director (Tsitos) and Best Actor (Antonis Kafetzopoulos). It was also Greece's official submission to the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

It's a darkly comedic tale that is a little strange, but has more in common with the deadpan minimalism of Finnish master Aki Kaurismäki, than the utter weirdness of other recent Greek films. The story follows Sotiris (Kafetzopoulos), a depressed middle aged police investigator who no longer cares much about his job or his life. Who during the day sits at his desk summarily releasing any suspect he feels is worthwhile, while at night he drinks himself to sleep on the local park bench. One day he decides to try and save a man who he feels is innocent, and things go terribly wrong.

It features a terrific performance from Kafetzopoulos, who plays his ruffled character with a solid inner strength that makes him captivating to watch. Despite having all but given up on the 'unfair world', he still tries to make a difference in his own small way, it's a profoundly sad yet hilariously funny role that I think many will definitely relate to. Also notable is Theodora Tzimou, who plays Dora, a lonely neighbor who Sotiris encounters by chance and becomes awkwardly involved with.

Overall it does suffer from some repetition, and the pacing will be too quiet and slow for most viewers. However, Tsitos manages to create a story and tone that's removed just enough from reality to lighten things up, and though it's impossible to completely avoid, he doesn't bog it down with any heavy handed message about the current political and economic climate in Greece.
Bonjour Tristesse
Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

Unfair World • Άδικος Κόσμος (2011)

3 comments:

FrontRoomCinema said...

Happy Monday BT!! I have nothing to add here I am afraid, just saying HELLO!!

The Angry Lurker said...

The story sounds good.

d_4 said...

It sounds decent. I wouldn't mind catching it at a theater if it pops up.

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