Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Greece/Belgium/France, 2014, 128mins (Drama)

Director Panos H. Koutras

A cross-Greece romp meshing Donny Darko and Almodovar-like surrealism with sadness, warmth, humour and Eurovision-inspired musicality.

After the death of their Albanian mother, two brothers – the flamboyantly gay, 16 year-old Danny (Kostas Nikouli) and golden-voiced 18 year-old Odysseas (Nikos Gelia) – leave Athens on a journey to Thessaloniki. Their mission: to locate their biological father in an attempt to avoid deportation to Albania.

Marginalised in everyday Greek society, Danny also sees the upcoming Thessaloniki heats of the cult television talent show Greek Star as their ticket to acceptance and a way out of the uncompromising realities of modern Grecian life.

Premiering to considerable acclaim in this year's Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Xenia delves deeply into patriarchy, homosexuality and immigrant rights, meaning this film speaks as clearly to Australian audiences as it does to Greeks.

"This comedy of brotherly love and outsider acceptance... boasts a spirited, audience-pleasing core." Variety

Written by Panagiotis Evangelidis, Panos H. Koutras

Produced by Panos H. Koutras, Alexandra Boussiou, Eleni Kossyfidou

Cast: Kostas Nikouli, Nikos Gelia

About the Director:

Born in Athens, Panos H Koutras studied at London's International Film School and later at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1995, he founded the company 100% Synthetic Films in Athens, releasing his debut feature Attack of the Giant Moussaka in 2000. Xenia is his fourth feature, joining Real Life (2004) and Strella (2009) in his body of work.

Greek Synopsis:

Κωμωδία με δύο αδέλφια από την Αλβανία που ψάχνουν στην Ελλάδα, εκμεταλλευόμενοι και αυτό το διαγωνισμό της Eurovision, να βρουν τον βιολογικό τους πατέρα για να καταφέρουν να μην διωχτούν πίσω στην Αλβανία.