Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988, Pedro Almodóvar)
An iconic entry in Pedro Almodóvar’s filmography, this vibrant tragicomedy dives headfirst into the psyche of the 1980s woman, through the eyes of Carmen Maura’s Pepa—a television actress spiraling into chaos after a bitter breakup. With a cast including a young Antonio Banderas, the unforgettable Rossy de Palma, and Julieta Serrano in a scene-stealing role, the film’s manic energy and bold visuals cemented Almodóvar’s place on the international stage. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, it remains a hysterical, heartfelt ode to love, loss, and emotional excess.
Where to watch: Panathinaia – Carmen – Stella – Cine Argyroupoli, Dionysia, cine Dafni
Jules and Jim (1962, François Truffaut)
A cornerstone of the French New Wave, Jules and Jim is a haunting meditation on friendship, passion, and the fleeting nature of happiness. Starring Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, and the magnetic Jeanne Moreau as Catherine, the film paints a poetic picture of a love triangle that defies conventions. Awarded the Étoile de Cristal and ranked among Empire’s greatest world cinema titles, this cinematic poem still resonates with modern audiences.
Where to watch: Cine Anoixis, Amiko, Oasis, Vox
The Hustler (1961, Robert Rossen)
Paul Newman delivers one of his most layered performances as “Fast” Eddie Felson—a gifted pool hustler whose real opponent turns out to be his own ambition. A brooding tale of talent, temptation, and redemption, The Hustler is more than a sports movie; it’s a character study wrapped in smoky barrooms and shadowy alleyways. Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, it remains a quintessential piece of American cinema.
Where to watch: Cine Riviera
Barefoot in the Park (1967, Gene Saks)
Based on Neil Simon’s hit play, this romantic comedy stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda as newlyweds navigating the early quirks of married life in a cramped New York apartment. A charming, light-hearted portrait of young love and mismatched personalities, Barefoot in the Park still delights with its wit and warmth. Mildred Natwick earned an Oscar nod, while Fonda was BAFTA-nominated for her spirited performance.
The Exterminating Angel (1962, Luis Buñuel)
In this surrealist black comedy, a group of Mexican bourgeois guests find themselves inexplicably unable to leave a lavish dinner party. Buñuel’s sharp critique of the upper class, layered with absurdist horror, defies logic yet feels unnervingly real. Hailed by The New York Times as one of the 1,000 greatest films ever made and adapted into an opera in 2016, it remains a masterclass in cinematic allegory.
Motel Destino (2024, Karim Aïnouz)
A sultry, visually hypnotic Brazilian noir that screened at last year’s Cannes Festival, Motel Destino transforms a seedy coastal motel into a stage for lust, betrayal, and moral decay. With echoes of James M. Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice, the film prioritizes atmosphere over narrative, drawing viewers into a dreamlike, menacing world where danger and desire blend.
Where to watch: Cine Zefyros, Anesis, Aello, Cine Laura, Cine Aleka
New This Week
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel’s beloved superheroes return in a new cosmic adventure, as Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and the Thing confront Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Packed with action, visual spectacle, and high-stakes drama, this reboot introduces a new generation to the iconic quartet.
Islands (2025)
Starring Sam Riley, this quiet psychological drama unfolds in a tropical paradise where a loner tennis instructor becomes entangled with a mysterious married couple. With undertones of Hitchcockian suspense, Islands explores memory, guilt, and emotional isolation.
It takes Two to Tango (Aimons-nous vivants, 2025)
In this French romantic drama, tenderness, nostalgia, and offbeat humor intertwine in the unlikely bond between a washed-up singer (Gérard Darmon) and a socially outcast woman (Valérie Lemercier). Directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, the film delivers emotional depth through a quirky yet poignant lens.
Where to watch: Diana, Anoixis, Cine aleka, Cine Philip, Cine Galazia Akti
Thank You for Banking with Us (2024, Laila Abbas)
A smart, politically charged dramedy that tackles gender inequality through the story of two sisters fighting to reclaim their inheritance. Witty, tense, and emotionally resonant, this film marks a bold statement about justice and female empowerment in patriarchal societies.
Where to watch: The Greek Film Archive, Cine Margarita, Cine Flerry, Cine Alexandra, Mikrokosmos cinema
Madly (2025)
Italy’s biggest box-office success of the year, Madly is a psychological rom-com that visualizes the inner egos of its protagonists. Directed by Paolo Genovese, it plays with narrative structure and emotional truth, offering a fresh take on modern relationships.
Where to watch: Cine Dexameni, Cine Ellinis, Cine Psychiko, Cine Margarita, Cine Chloi, Cine Nostalgia, Aello, Lila, Cine Aloma, cine Akti, cine Ria, cine Koralli
Jungle Beat 2: The Past
A family-friendly time-travel adventure where jungle animals team up with dinosaurs to defeat club-wielding alien invaders. Wild, whimsical, and filled with prehistoric fun—perfect for young audiences.
Where to watch : in most Athens’ cinemas (Village cinemas etc.)
