A Matter of Dignity (1958)
"To teleftaio psema" (original title)

During one of her parents many parties, Chloe learns they're bankrupt. She's being courted by Niko, a wealthy Greek American, so she decides to charm him. He's quickly captivated. That ... See full summary »

Director:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Writer:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Stars:

Ellie Lambeti, Athena Michaelidou, Eleni Zafeiriou

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ellie Lambeti	...	Hloi Pella
Athena Michaelidou	...	Roxanni Pella
Eleni Zafeiriou	...	Katerina
Giorgos Pappas	...	Kleon Pellas (as Georgios Pappas)
Michalis Nikolinakos	...	Galanos
Dimitris Papamichael	...	Markos
Minas Christidis	...	Nikos Dritsas
Vasilis Kailas	...	Vasilakis (as Vasilakis Kailas)
Zorz Sarri
Despo Diamantidou
Mairi Hronopoulou
Despoina Nikolaidou
Dimitris Hoptiris
Dimitra Zeza
Nikos Fermas

Storyline

During one of her parents many parties, Chloe learns they're bankrupt. She's being courted by Niko, a wealthy Greek American, so she decides to charm him. He's quickly captivated. That night, she also meets the masculine Galanos and sparks fly. Niko proposes, Chloe accepts, Galanos tries to change her mind. Her father wants to disclose their finances to Niko, her mother argues against it as a matter of dignity. The family's long-time servant must care for her son, who's had an accident. She's has not been paid in months, reminds Chloe to send money, and waits in her village as hospital bills mount. The servant comes back to Athens, confronts Chloe's mother, and a crisis ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

aristocrat | mother daughter relationship | family relationships | greece | greek dancing | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Greece

Language:

Greek

Release Date:

19 January 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Matter of Dignity

Company Credits

Production Co:

Finos Film, Th. Damaskinos & V. Michaelides

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Greek title of the movie means "The Final Lie."

User Reviews

One of the Best Foreign Language Films!

I'm not into foreign language films but this film should be considered a classic by the film director. I saw another one but this one is much better. The story about upper class Greek life in Athens with it centering around Chloe, a daughter of a prominent Athenian family. Chloe is expected to marry a rich Greek American even though she doesn't love him. Her parents, Roxanne and Cleon, are broke and bankrupt and desperate financially. Chloe's relationship with Katerina, her beloved family maid, is also interesting. Katerina acts more like a second mother and often refers to Chloe as my pet. Katerina's husband abandoned her and their son who lives in the country. When Katerina's son has an accident, Katerina goes to him and is promised that she will be paid but she isn't and hasn't been for months. She thought the family had considered her differently than the others. The storyline is intriguing and I won't spoil anymore but it's worth seeing even in subtitles.