Skopje, 29 April 2025 (MIA) — As part of the Embassy of Greece in North Macedonia’s Getting to Know Each Other series of screenings of much-loved and critically acclaimed contemporary Greek films, the Cinematheque will show Pantelis Voulgaris’ period romance “Brides” (2004) at 7 pm. Admission is free.
According to the Greek Embassy in a press release, “Brides” is a film about strong emotions, dilemmas and responsible choices.
Set in 1922 near the end of the Greco-Turkish War, it follows the journey of 700 mail-order brides heading aboard the steamship SS King Alexander to New York, where they are to meet the men they have been arranged by their families to marry.
“They all carry a photo of an unknown groom and their wedding dress in their suitcase. Nikki, one of the brides, and Norman Harris, an American photographer, will fall in love,” the release says.
“Brides” is the first collaboration between Voulgaris, one of Greece’s leading filmmakers, and acclaimed Greek writer Ioanna Karystiani. Martin Scorsese executive produced the movie.
According to the Greek Embassy release, “Brides” was one of the highest grossing films in Greek cinema history and won 10 awards at Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Pantelis Voulgaris (b. 1940, Athens, Greece) is a screenwriter, film director, and one of the founders and greatest representatives of the New Greek Cinema.
He has been described as “the most sensitive and tender Greek filmmaker.” Reviewers have also said that he has captured, “by placing his camera at the height of people, looking straight into the depth of the soul, aspects and forms of what we call ‘Greekness’.” His films include “Anna’s Engagement” (1972), “The Great Love Songs” (1973), “Happy Day” (1976), “Stone Years” (1985), “Yannis Ritsos: A Dream of Life and Bread” (1987; a documentary about the Greek poet who won the 1985 Struga Poetry Evenings’ Golden Wreath award), “Quiet Days in August” (1991), “It’s a Long Road” (1998), “Brides” (2004), “Little England” (2013) and “The Last Note” (2017).
