| Κάλπικη λίρα (Istoria mias kalpikis liras) The Counterfeit Coin |
|
|---|---|
| Directed by | Yorgos Javellas |
| Written by | Yorgos Javellas |
| Narrated by | Dimitris Myrat |
| Starring | Vassilis Logothetidis Ilia Livykou Mimis Fotopoulos Sperantza Vrana Orestis Makris Maria Kalamioti Ellie Lambeti Dimitris Horn |
| Music by | Manos Hatzidakis |
| Cinematography | Kostas Theodoridis Giorgos Tsaoulis |
| Editing by | Giorgos Tsaoulis |
| Studio | Anzervos Productions |
| Distributed by | Atlantic Films |
| Release date(s) | December 28, 1955 |
| Running time | 127 minutes |
| Country | Greece |
| Language | Greek |
Κάλπικη λίρα (Istoria mias kalpikis liras) (English: The Counterfeit Coin) is a Greek comedy-drama film, produced in 1955, written and directed by Giorgos Tzavellas and starring Dimitris Horn, Ilia Livykou and Vassilis Logothetidis.[1][2][3] At the 2006 International Thessaloniki Film Festival, the film was announced as among the 10 all-time best Greek films by the PHUCC (Pan-Hellenic Union of Cinema Critics).[4][5]
Contents |
An honest, religious engraver, Anargyros Loumbardopoulos (Vassilis Logothetidis), has routinely invested his money in gold coins, specifically British gold sovereigns, bought from a friend of his, a banker. Upon having stored away 100 sovereigns, a friend of the banker suggests that Anargyros mints counterfeit sovereigns, but he adamantly refuses. The banker's friend then introduces Anargyros to a lady that he knows. Anargyros' resistance is soon curbed, and he spends all his invested 100 sovereigns to buy minting equipment.
As part of the closing night event at the Antipodes Greek Film Festival 2005 in Melbourne, Australia, they screened what they considered a classic 50’s comedy, The Counterfeit Coin in celebration of the film's 50th anniversary.[6] At the festival, it was said of the film that it was, "Considered by many to be the best Greek film ever produced..." and "There is no more complete Greek cinematic creation".[7] And after the festival, "The standout favourites of the Film Festival have been Brides with 3 sell out screenings to date, The Counterfeit Coin, Testosterone and Liza and The Others.[8]