Alemaya

Αλεμάγια
Alemaya

“Alemaya emerges as a passionate and heart wrenching piece in the spirit of the great Greek melodramas" 23^rd Minneapolis – St Paul International Film Festival program.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1960. Young Isavella grows up under the strict supervision and guidance of her despotic father, an affluent and powerful Greek migrant. On her 18th birthday, she meets Dimitri, a young businessman of Greek descent from southern Ethiopia. Dimitri, despite his success, is still perceived by his fellow compatriots as merely the son of the local baker. He instantly becomes infatuated by Isavella and confesses his profound love for her. Their platonic relationship becomes the subject of gossip amongst the conservative elements of the Greek community of Addis Ababa. Dimitri proposes that they elope to picturesque Lake Alemaya but his plan is destined to fail. Confronted by her oppressive father and her apparent inability to resist his will, Isavella leaves for Athens where she marries to appease her father.
      Thirty-five years later, Isavella, now a widow with two children, lives a reclusive lifestyle and is constantly reminded of her family’s past glory and splendour. Tragically, her eldest son commits suicide after a failed love affair. As a consequence of her traumatic experience, Isavella is confronted with her personal conflicts and mistakes of the past. Dimitri, now gravely ill and retired, moves to Athens and rents an apartment directly opposite Isavella’s house. He is determined to spend his last days observing her every move. The film explores the boundaries of unfulfilled love and desire. A romantic drama that encapsulates the themes of love and loss, in which its protagonists are plunged into despair and reality is suspended.

Director: Elias Yannakakis | Rating: R 18+ | 2004 | Drama/Romance | 107 minutes | Greek dialogue with English subtitles

Director's Bio - Elias Yannakakis

Elias Yannakakis was born in Ethiopia in 1968. He began his career in films as an assistant director. At the same time he wrote articles on cinema and was in charge of screenings in art houses. He has also developed a personal film archive. Between 1993 and 1999, he wrote and directed three shorts. Since 2000 he has directed documentaries for national television and the cinema. In 2004 he produced and directed a feature length documentary as well as his first feature film.

PRINCIPAL CAST

Yvonni Maltezou (Isavella), Dimitris Katalifos (Dimitris), Ekavi Douma (Isavella as a young girl), Yannis Dritsas (Dimitris as a young man), Giorgos Michailidis (Father), Thanos Samaras (Giorgos), Rania Ikonomidou (Ms. Olga), Anna Mascha (Eleni), Michele Valley (Mother).

DIRECTOR's – PREVIOUS FILMS

1993 Antonis’ Happiness (Short)

1996 Last Act(Short)
Kotroni Foundation Best Fantasy Film Award

1999 Patagonia
National Quality Award, Greek Film Centre Special Mention
Kotroni Foundation Best Script Award

2004 Yannis Kouros – Forever Running
2nd Prize for a documentary longer than 45 minutes, 6th Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival “Images of the 21st Century” section

2004 Alemaya

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

45th Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2004
2005 Berlinale - 55th Berlin International Film Festival - European Filmmarket Section
29th Cleveland International Film Festival 2005
23rd Minneapolis – St. Paul International Film Festival 2005 - World Cinema Program


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