Stella (1955 film)

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Stella
DVD cover
Directed by	Michael Cacoyannis
Written by	Iakovos Kabanellis Michael Cacoyannis
Starring	Melina Mercouri George Foundas
Music by	Manos Hadjidakis
Release date(s)	1955
Running time	100 min.
Country	Greece
Language	Greek
IMDb profile

Stella, a 1955 Greek film featuring Melina Mercouri, is a retelling of Carmen, and is considered by many to be the most important title in Greek cinema. The film was directed by the Greek Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis and written by Cacoyannis and Iakovos Kabanellis. The music was composed by Manos Hadjidakis and Vassilis Tsitsanis.

Stella was originally intended to be a stage play with the title Stella with the Red Gloves, but it was never staged. It has been claimed that this story was the perfect vehicle for the thirty-five-year-old Mercouri's film debut. Indeed, it was the hit that Melina Mercouri needed. The film sparked great controversy, and although it was initially rejected by Greek critics, it is now considered one of the five greatest Greek films.

At the Cannes Film Festival, where the film was screened, Melina met Jules Dassin, her future husband, mentor, and director. He helped her to secure major roles in such films as Topkapi, Never on Sunday, Phaedra, and 10:30 Summer Night, which have become major international successes.

Stella, the main character, is a rembetika singer. Although she is in love with Miltos, a soccer player, she repeatedly rejects his marriage proposals. When Miltos finally forces her to accept the idea of marriage, Stella does not appear in church, despite Miltos repeatedly warning her that he will kill her if she doesn't marry him. Miltos kills her with a dagger at end of the film.

It has been said that the story of Stella's forced marriage symbolises the forces that are constantly trying to impose their will on Greece.

[edit] Trivia

Director Michael Cacoyiannis makes a cameo appearance in the church as one the wedding guests.

[edit] External links

• Stella at the Internet Movie Database

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