ACROPOLE (AKROPOL) European Union Film Showcase

This film re-creates the life and atmosphere
of Athens’ celebrated Acropole theater,
which featured lavish, Hollywood-style
musicals in the ’50’s and ’60’s. Performed
by self-taught actors, the Acropole’s
bawdy political satire was an attraction
not only for the well-to-do, but for the working
citizens of the city. The film begins
when Prince, the producer of the establishment,
hires Lakis, a one-time child prodigy
of the popular cinema who specializes in
performing comic female roles. A bitter
man who now works at a casting agency
for extras, Lakis is taken aback by this
unexpected offer. Upon arriving at the
Acropole, he stirs up both condescension
and antagonism in his fellow performers,
particularly Platon Sparides, the leading
actor of the troupe. It does not help matters
when Lakis embarks upon a pursuit of
Sparides’ actress lover, Leta. On stage
and off, Lakis must settle his accountsboth
to others and to himself.