Crying... Silicon Tears

Thanasis Papathanasiou's 2001 Greek comedy sets two families against each other: one wealthy and lucky, the other poor and constantly struck by misfortune. Martha, poor but honest, is in love with Giakoumis, who works in construction and plays the bouzouki; the wealthy family's interference undoes their plans. The film deliberately exaggerates the melodrama template Greek popular cinema established in the sixties. The class opposition, the coincidences and the weeping scenes of those films are raised here to the level of parody. Even the title points back to that tradition. Most of the humour depends on Greek audiences recognising the template, so its effect thins for anyone watching from outside. The cast is drawn from television and the playing is pitched high to match. Who it's for: those who know Greek popular cinema and enjoy parody. Who it's not for: anyone watching without that context; most of the jokes require knowing what is being imitated.