screened in Islamabad - The Best from Greece

Islamabad

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) screened an all-time favourite movie ‘Zorba the Greek’ from 1961 at its media centre here recently.

A UK-Greece co-production, directed by Michael Cacoyannis, it is based on the novel of the same title by Nikos Kazantzakis, the most talented Greek writer of modern times. The cast includes Alan Bates, Anthony Quinn, Lila Kedrova and Irene Papas.

Alan Bates plays himself a British in his thirties. He is a writer who is about to write a new book on Buddha. However, it seems that he is unable to undertake this project in the modern, urban and snobbish ambience of England. He is heading for a village in Greece to accomplish this task. He also has to take care of the cottage and a long-defunct lignite mine left as inheritance from his father. On the way to village, he meets Anthony Quinn. This is a meeting of two opposites. Quinn educates Bates about his experience (or lack of it!) about the mines and he joins Alan Bates on this adventurous trip.

Their destination is a town of poor farmers where they take up with an old French widow, played by Lila Kedrova. She is running sort of hotel, which of all the names in the world, is called Hotel Ritz. And when it is time for little romance, Alan Bates must serve as bridge to facilitate Anthiny Quinn, who comes dangerously close to Lila.

Working on the dead mine is both dangerous and useless. Anthony Quinn dumps Alan Bates’ savings for nothing. Bates now decides to go for a resort in the forest. And if one widow for romance was not enough, enter Irene Papas, as the second young widow for Bates.

The film has strong characters. Quinn looks at the brighter side of life — an optimist in the real sense of the term. Bates is more realistic and can’t get out of the books but gradually things change. Quinn teaches him the essence of life — to enjoy to the hilt. And soon Bates catches on with contentment and celebrates life with exuberance. Quinn and Bates jell together like glue in spite of being opposites. Bates is restrained, quiet, shy, retiring, dignified in dress and manners. Quinn is strong, tall, robust, unrestrained and unconcerned about conflict, crisis and ruthless elements of life. The bottom line here is to live life, no matter what may come — eat, drink, laugh and dance. With the passage of time, a profound relationship develops between the two. Bates becomes part of what is Quinn by not bothering to shave or dress up properly.

The film is both dark and sensuous and Quinn is seen playing one of the best roles (if not the best) of his life. Black and White photography brings out the dark and light philosophies of the two characters respectively. Music is also woven into the characters and situations. Use of Greek string instruments makes it even more relevant and supporting. Rich story, good performance, soothing music and crisp camerawork blend together in ‘Zorba the Greek’ to make it a wholesome film to be seen and appreciated.

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