It is hard to explain why I like this movie so much. I think the best way to describe it is that it speaks to my soul, more than any other movie. The film operates on many levels (see Robert Horton's excellent books on Angelopoulos to explore further) such as Greek mythology, modern Greek history, the issues of borders, innocence and growing up, male role models, etc. However, the real power of the movie, I feel, lies in its ability to transport you to a place where the hidden truths of life, those truths that lie under the surface of our every day existence, are openly displayed and heartbreakingly rendered on screen. I think many independent film fans, especially in the US look for films that are realistic. This film is not realistic in the traditional sense, but it arrives at the core of our existence in a poetic way, and in a way that many people mistake for pretentiousness, false symbolism, and unnecessary artiness. The movie speaks volumes to me, and I hope it does to you too.
