The Counterfeit Coin

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

Plot

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.

Cast

Additional cast

Reception

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]

Other information

References

  1. ^ Kathimerini (English edition), by Michalis Katsigeras (September 14, 1956), "Commentaries", accessed 01-14-2009
  2. ^ The Hellenic Society Prometheas, "Presents the Classic Greek film The Counterfeit Coin (I Kalpiki Lira), 1955", accessed 01-14-2009
  3. ^ cinemainfo.gr, History of the Greek cinema, accessed 01-14-2009
  4. ^ cinemainfo.gr, by Giannis Frangoulis (translated by Konstantinos Vassilaros), "47th THESSALONICA FILM FESTIVAL - FOG CASING OVER THE WORLD OF CINEMA", accessed 01-14-2009
  5. ^ filmfestival.gr, " The ten best best film of the Greek Film Critics Association", accessed 01-14-2009
  6. ^ greekcity.com.au, "GreekFilm Festival - September 2005 Melbourne", accessed 01-14-2009
  7. ^ Antipodes Greek Film Festival, accessed 01-14-2009
  8. ^ greekfilmfestival.com.au, accessed 01-14-2009

External links