Karagiozis, the Wronged One of Life

Greek-American Peter Papas, vacationing with his wife in Greece, crashes into a taxi driver and discovers that the driver is his old friend Meletis, who is married and the father of six children. Twenty-five years ago, they were both assistants to a puppeteer, Stamatis Tranos, who believed that the art of Shadow Theatre was in decline, due to cinema. In addition, his young wife, Marika, left him to follow a young man, taking their daughter Lisa with her. Peter and Meletis search for Mr. Stamatis, who is now a mental wreck, has become a drunkard and wanders around entertaining young children.

Directed by Vasilis Georgiadis, Errikos Thalassinos, Karagiozis, the Wronged One of Life leans on a strong ensemble — Thanos Kotsopoulos, Thanasis Veggos, Voula Zouboulaki — 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 drama titles of 1959.