The Great Love Songs

A documentary about Greek music. Τhe Great Love Songs is series of ten poems by, among others, Sappho, Elytis, Myrtiotissa, Sarantari, and cavafy, put to music by Manos Hadjidakis. In the film, the camera lens illustrates the emotions stirred by the erotic atmosphere of the music. We follow the camera as it wanders through Athens; the nostalgic Athens of yesteryear; the big modern-day city; the Athens of lovers; the Athens of tourists. Our journey through the city is intercut with footage from the studio recordings of the songs, while there also scenes featuring the film crew. The film is a game between image and sound.

Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris, The Great Love Songs leans on a strong ensemble — Flery Dadonaki, Nasos Katakouzinos, Dimitris Psarianos — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1973.