Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Greece, 2004, 128mins (Drama)

Director Pantelis Voulgaris

10th Anniversary Screening / Presented on 35mm

Famed filmmaker Pantelis Voulgaris tops then tails this year's Greek Film Festival with a special 10th anniversary screening of his much-loved tearjerker.

A sumptuous period drama set in 1922, Brides is the story of a mail order bride (Victoria Haralabidou) – one of 700 from every corner of Greece, Turkey, Russia and Armenia – aboard the SS King Alexander bound for the USA. In her suitcase is a photograph of an unwelcome bridegroom and her wedding gown.

Also on this vessel, but travelling in first class rather than third, is an American photographer (Damian Lewis) on his way home to a failed marriage. She meets him, and she falls in love.

Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, Brides is a standout in the stellar career of Pantelis Voulgaris – a guaranteed audience favourite that only gets better with the passing of the years.

Written by: Ionna Karystiani

Produced by: Pantelis Voulgaris, Barbara De Fina, Terry Dougas

Cast: Damian Lewis, Victoria Haralabidou, Andréa Ferréol, Evi Saoulidou, Dimitris Katalifos, Eirini Indkesi

About the Director:

Pantelis Voulgaris studied film direction in Greece and worked on over 40 films as assistant director. In 1965, he made his debut short film, The Thief, before making his debut feature film Anna's Engagement in 1974. Voulgaris has enjoyed an award-winning, highly acclaimed career that includes Happy Day (1977), Stone Years (1985) and Quiet Days in August (1992), among many others.

Greek Synopsis:

Η εξαιρετική και πολυβραβευμένη ταινία του Παντελή Βούλγαρη με θέμα το ταξίδι 700 γυναικών, απ' τα Βαλκάνια προς την Αμερική, με σκοπό το γάμο τους με άνδρες που είχαν επιλεχθεί «δια αλληλογραφίας» την περίοδο της μαζικής μετανάστευσης στην Αμερική της δεκαετίας του '20.