Greek Documentaries

(By Kostas Maheras, 2020)

If you’re interested in archaeology, you’re going to like this. This documentary explores the excavations at Dhaskalio (directed by Colin Renfrew and Michael Boyd of the McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge), which have completely transformed our understanding of what was previously seen as a Cycladic enigma.

(By Marianna Economou, 2019)

A warm and humorous story of two Greek cousins and five women living in a small, dying village, who attempt to enter the international market with their organic tomatoes. Their secret ingredients? Hard work, ancient tomato seeds, stories, and Wagner’s music.

(By Sandrine Dumas, 2018)

In search of her own family roots, Dumas traces the story of the know Greek painter Thaleia Flora-Karavia, discovering stories from a changing world of the Greek communities of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Athens in the early 20th century.

(By Angeliki Aristomenopoulou, 2015)

A documentary about the Xylouris family, a famous Cretan family of brilliant musicians. An interesting story about the power of music, family, and tradition. The film follows three generations of musicians of the family who uphold and pass on the vibrant tradition of Cretan music, performing ceaselessly to followers across the world.

(mini series, 2015-)

I remember my philosophy professor in high school used to say that you have to “eat first, philosophize later” (it sounds better in Greek). This documentary reminded me of that, because it’s a wonderful mixture of exploring ancient Greek gastronomy, while learning a thing or two about philosophy. Every episode, filmed in a different beautiful location in Greece each time, is a new delicious surprise waiting for you to discover!

(By Nikos Dayandas, 2014)

Somewhere in the Aegean Sea, lies the unique island of Ikaria, where it is said that the inhabitants are likely to live up to 100 years. What happens when, in the midst of the Greek crisis, young people are re-discovering this island and its values?

(By Angeliki Andrikopoulou & Argyris Tsepelikas, 2010)

In a crowded part of a Greek city the children want to play outside, but the grown-up neighbours strongly disagree. There is nowhere else they can play, so the children must take the matter into their own hands and try to get the mayor to build them a play area.