Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Greece, 2012, 80mins (Drama)
Director Ilias Yannakakis
Written by Ilias Yannakakis
Produced by Ilias Yannakakis
Cast: Nikos Flessas, Stefania Goulioti, Amalia Moutoussi, Lida Protopsalti, Yorgos Symeonidis

Executive Producer Eleni Bertes is a guest of the Festival.

“An attempt to share the feelings of a very unique character, a complex yet pure soul.” Filmmaker Ilias Yannakakis

Joy may be presented in ghostly black & white but there are many shades of grey to this startling film about a middle-aged woman, Joy (played with inexhaustible nuance by Amalia Moutoussi), accused of kidnapping a newborn baby from a maternity ward.

What begins as the perfect utopia for new mother and child eventually turns into a bitter tragedy. Oblivious to media reports about the kidnapping, Joy goes on a road trip with the baby where her maternal instincts are tested, ultimately overpowering any sense of rationality she may possess.

“Through images with a minimum of dialogue, the viewer sees right inside Hara to examine the motives which led her to commit such a socially unacceptable act. [The director] follows Hara’s actions with an intuitive and non-judgemental eye.” Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Festivals & Awards: Karlovy Vary Film Festival 2013, Adelaide International Film Festival 2013

About the Director:
Born in 1968, Ilias Yannakakis has shot over 100 documentaries, among many other projects. He has filmed two fantasy short films, Last Act (1996) and Patagonia (1999). His only other feature film is Alemaya (2004).

To buy tickets and for more information about the Greek Film Festival 2013 please click here to visit the official website.