The Ogre of Athens

Nikos Koundouros's 1956 Greek film follows a timid bank clerk mistaken on New Year's Eve for the leader of a famous criminal organisation. Rather than correcting the error he accepts it; for the first time people are afraid of him, and the feeling does not let him go. The film drew no interest on release and failed commercially; it is now counted among the most important works of Greek cinema. Koundouros builds the underworld of post-war Athens in expressionist light; the narrow streets and nightclub sequences come close to film noir. The idea at the centre is how much identity is something given from outside. The ending is merciless. Who it's for: viewers interested in the history of Greek cinema and in film noir. Who it's not for: anyone wanting a fast narrative, or who dislikes bleak endings.