Stone Years

Πέτρινα Χρόνια
Petrina Hronia

Told through the eyes of struggle and heartache, Stone Years is a captivating story about two ordinary people yearning love and freedom.
Set over 20 years in post war Greece, wracked by political division, persecution, intimidation and a dictatorship, the film follows the extraordinary and enduring relationship between Eleni and Babi, two political activists of the Left. Based on a true story, Stone Years places the essential human elements of their relationship against a backdrop of fear, threats, separation, imprisonment and years of being on the run.
Voulgaris takes audiences on a journey that starts with Eleni heading to Athens to study medicine, just as a government crackdown results in Babi’s imprisonment. When the nationwide arrest of communist activists is announced, Eleni goes into hiding for 10 years, moving from haven to haven as she is declared a key ring leader. A general amnesty in the mid 60s sees the release of Babi and a halt to their clandestine life together. Just as she falls pregnant, she is denounced, arrested and imprisoned as a threat to national security. Whilst raising her son in jail, the military coup of 1967 sees Babi go on the run, only to be arrested and jailed for 16 years. They get married in prison with their son as best man and realise that in 14 years they have spent no more than 70 hours together. Released in 1974, Eleni and Babi are finally able to enjoy what they have always yearned – a life together.
One of Voulgaris’ most moving and critically acclaimed works, Stone Years explores the everyday struggle that so many Greeks endured when censorship and political repression altered the social fabric of their country.
 

Director: Pantelis Voulgaris| Rating: MA 15+ | 1985 | Drama | 135 minutes | Greek dialogue with English subtitles

Director's Bio - Pantelis Voulgaris

Pantelis Voulgaris was born in Athens in 1940 and studied at the Stavrakou Film School. He worked initially as an assistant director and made his first short in 1965. Since then, his films have won international acclaim and numerous awards, establishing his reputation as one of the foremost Greek film directors of his generation. He has also directed several documentaries for Greek television and the hour-long documentary on the poet Yannis Ritsos for German Television. He has also directed for the stage. In 1995, Pantelis Voulgaris was honoured by the Museum of Modern Art in New York with a mid-career retrospective.

PRINCIPAL CAST

Themis Bazaka (Eleni), Dimitris Katalifos (Babis), Maria Martika (Mother), Irene Iglessi (Cleo), Nikos Birbilis (Prison Warden), Ilias Katevas (Michalis), Thanos Grammenos (Detainee)

AWARDS

Thessaloniki Film Festival – 1985
Grand Prix, Best Director, Best Actress Awards

La Biennale Di Venezia - Venice Film Festival – 1985
Special Nomination (Themis Bazaka)
Winner of the OCIC Award

Valencia Film Festival - 1986
Best Actress - Themis Bazaka
Best Music Award
 

DIRECTOR's – PREVIOUS FILMS

1965 The Thief (Short Film)

1966 Jimmy the Tiger (Short Film)
International Film Festival of Thessaloniki:
   Best Short Film Award
   Best Actor Award
   Critics Awards

1969 The Dance of the Goats (Documentary)
Grand Prix Contemporary Film Festival, Athens

1972 The Engagement of Anna
International Film Festival of Thessaloniki FIPRESCI,
Best Film Award
Best Director Award
Berlin Film Festival :
   Otto-Dibelius Award
   OCIC Award

1973 The Great Love Songs

1976 Happy Day
International Film Festival of Thessaloniki
   Best Film Award
   Best Director Award

1980 Eleftherios Venizelos

1985 Stone Years
International Film Festival of Thessaloniki
   Best Film Award
   Best Director Award
Venice Film Festival:
   Best Actress Award
   Special Nomination for Best Actress
Valencia Film Festival:
   Best Actress Award
   Best Music Award

1988 The Striker with the No.9
Silver Knight Award – Moscow Film Festival

1991 Quiet Dais in August
Mention by the Berlin Film Festival's International Protestant Film Jury
Selected to represent Greece as Best Film for the European Film Awards

1995 Acropole

1996 Cairo International Film Festival – Best Director Award
Valencia Film Festival – Best Music Award

1998 It’s a Long Road
Hellenic Ministry of Culture 1998 National Film Awards
   Best Actor (Giorgos Armenis)
   Best Make-Up

2004 Brides
45th Thessaloniki International Film Festival – 2004:
   First Prize for Fiction Film,
Best Leading Actress Award
Best Supporting Actress Award
Best Cinematography Award
Best Set Design Award
Best Music Award
Best Sound Award
Best Editing Award
Best Costumes Award
Best Makeup Award
 

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

Thessaloniki Film Festival - 1985
Venice Film Festival – 1985


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