Lalakis the Import

Lalakis, a penniless guy, is obsessed with expensive imported clothing, and through various petty schemes he manages to satisfy his "shopping" addiction. When he gets fired from his job and is left penniless, an Italian woman, Livia, appears and suggests that they import cosmetics from Italy to Greece. Lalakis gladly accepts and goes to Rome to bring them back, but he gets mixed up with a gang of antiquities smugglers, who follow him to Greece. However, he manages to neutralize them and subsequently becomes wealthy from the imported cosmetics.

Directed by Giannis Chartomatzidis, Lalakis the Import leans on a strong ensemble — Nikos Papanastasiou, Katerina Yioulaki, Aliki Kamineli — 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 comedy titles of 1984.