Feb. 20, 2004|Greece | France | Italy | Germany|170 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama;History;Romance
Description: “The Weeping Meadow” (2004) is a poignant Greek film set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The story begins in 1919 when Greek refugees, including Spyros, his wife Danae, their son, and an orphaned girl named Eleni, arrive in Greece from Odessa. They settle by a river and establish a village. Over time, Spyros thrives, but Eleni faces hardship after secretly giving birth to twins, Yorgis and Yannis, who are adopted. Following Danae’s death, Spyros becomes fixated on Eleni and arranges a marriage. However, Eleni escapes with Spyros’ son and seeks refuge with a group of traveling musicians led by violinist Nikos.
As they move to Thessaloniki, Spyros relentlessly pursues them. Spyros’ son, a talented accordionist, struggles alongside the musicians to find work. Eventually, Eleni and Spyros’ son reunite with their twins. In 1936, the group aligns with the Popular Front, performing at a dance where Spyros reappears, only to die of a heart attack. The rise of fascism brings tragedy, leading to Nikos’ death and Spyros’ son accepting an offer to tour America.
Eleni, left alone, is arrested for political reasons and spends the war years in prison. Released in 1946, she discovers that Spyros’ son died during the war. Having lost everything, Eleni returns to her childhood home, now in ruins, and confronts the devastating loss of her sons, who perished on opposing sides of the civil war. The film, which spans from 1919 to the aftermath of World War II, reflects on Greek history through the lens of one family’s suffering, echoing themes from Angelopoulos’ 1975 film “The Travelling Players.” At its heart is Eleni, whose life becomes a symbol of resilience amidst tragedy.
Cast director: Theo Angelopoulos
Cast actor: Alexandra Aidini, Nikos Poursanidis, Giorgos Armenis, Vasilis Kolovos, Eva Kotamanidou, Toula Stathopoulou, Thalia Argyriou, Smaro Gaitanidou, Mihalis Giannatos, Grigoris Evangelatos
Original name: Το Λιβάδι που δακρύζει