(Ο φόβος, The Fear)
Directed by Kostas Manoussakis
106 minutes?
In Greek with English subtitles

Someone from Greece will have to explain to me someday why so many extremely weird movies seem to come out of their country. Especially tales set in family situations, involving very strange interpersonal psychosexual undercurrents among family members. Repressed, pent-up, unspoken passions that explode into haywire outbursts. There seems to be a lot going on under the surface in Greece—perhaps it is a reflection of history, since of course they have often had an all too tragic history to deal with. In that way it is maybe a bit like Poland, even though they are very different in other ways. There's something screwy, unresolved going on, some kind of collective trauma.... even though they are both wonderful countries with incredible artistry and intelligence.

This forgotten flick dates back all the way to 1966, and kicks open a lot of doors with its harrowing story line, razor sharp cinematography, and an absolutely surprising music soundtrack that constantly manages to catch you off guard. It centers on a young student named Anna who returns home to her family farm in the countryside after studying in Athens for some years. Everything seems offbeat, out of joint, and strange when she arrives. The mood is stifling and she can't find anybody she can really talk to. Her half-brother seems mentally unstable, creating a lot of tension and uncomfortable situations. Ironically, the only person she can relate to isn't even a family member, but their mute servant girl Hrysa.

That is the opening situation, and of course the film shoots off into many directions from there. As usual I won't go any further into the story, but will let the film unfold for itself. Director Kostas Manoussaki shows an artistic finesse that is unexpected and shocking, especially from a movie that has remained so unknown. He was 31 years old when he made this movie, and he would never make another—and that's also shocking.

This long unseen cult flick has a mood that is menacing, brooding, and teeming with repressed sexuality... with fear and perversion working on both individual and social levels. Another forgotten gem.