A tribute to a master of cinema
The father of Greek cinema, Philopoimin Finos, founder of the prolific Finos Films production company, is the subject of a tribute exhibition organized jointly by the company and the City of Athens to be held at the Municipal Cultural Center. Titled «Unfurling the Finos Film Reel,» the show comprises photographs from Finos’s private and professional life, movie posters, film reviews, letters, awards and prizes, as well as personal items belonging to Finos. There will also be a series of screenings of the most memorable moments from the company’s productions. Finos Films released its first feature film, «The Voice of the Heart,» in the turbulent times of 1943, undaunted by the events of history and sociopolitical upheaval. A true visionary, Philopoimin Finos breathed life into Greek cinema, producing inspired and imaginative movies that were highly popular. In just a few years, the company became a household name, weaning generations of Greeks off foreign cinema and prompting them to appreciate homegrown efforts. Finos Films has produced some 185 movies that continue to be shown today. The company was responsible for launching several generations of Greek actors and for creating a uniquely Greek genre of romantic comedy and farce. The films mirrored the social changes that were taking place in the country over the 30 years of the company’s operations, reaching out to every level of society and every age group with fun, innocent movies that poked fun at «traditional» values and challenged societal roles. Philopoimin Finos died in January 1977, without having seen the last of his company’s creations. «Unfurling the Finos Film Reel» is on at the Athens Municipal Cultural Center (50 Academias) until October 17. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. daily except on Mondays and Sunday afternoons.
