Stella (1955 film)
Stella | |
---|---|
Manos Hadjidakis | |
Distributed by | Joseph Burstyn Inc. (United States) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
Country | Greece |
Language | Greek |
Stella (
Manos Hadjidakis and Vassilis Tsitsanis
.
Stella was originally intended to be a stage play with the title Stella with the Red Gloves, but it was never staged. It has been claimed that this story was the perfect vehicle for the thirty-five-year-old Mercouri's film debut. Indeed, it was the hit that Melina Mercouri needed. The film sparked great controversy, and although it was initially rejected by Greek critics, it is now considered[by whom?] one of the five greatest Greek films.
At the
mentor, and director. He helped her to secure major roles in such films as Topkapi, Never on Sunday, Phaedra, and 10:30 P.M. Summer
, which became major international successes.
Plot
The story of a fiercely independent and uncompromising young woman. Stella, a
soccer
player, she seems to change. At first, she avoids his advances, but, later, gives in to him. However, she can only be with him on her own terms. No matter how much she loves him, she mostly values her freedom. Things turn complicated when she is called to choose. She repeatedly rejects Miltos marriage proposals. When Miltos finally forces her to accept the idea of marriage, Stella does not appear in church, despite Miltos repeatedly warning her that he will kill her if she doesn't marry him. Miltos kills her with a dagger at end of the film.
It has been said that the story of Stella's forced marriage symbolises the forces that are constantly trying to impose their will on Greece.
Cast
- Melina Mercouri as Stella
- Giorgos Fountas as Miltos
- Alekos Alexandrakis as Alekos
- Christina Kalogerikou as Miltos' Mother
- Voula Zouboulaki as Anetta
- Dionysis Papagiannopoulos as Mitsos
- Sofia Vembo as Maria
- Costas Kakavas as Antonis (as Kostas Karalis)
- Tasso Kavadia as Alekos' Sister
- Michael Cacoyannis as Wedding guest
References
- ^ "Festival de Cannes: Stella". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
External links
- Stella at IMDb