Psyhi vathia

Given the seriousness of the subject-matter about a period that has left an indelible mark in Greek history and bearing Pantelis Voulgaris's strong directorial credentials in mind, it's astonishing to come across a movie as shallow as this. The main plot about two brothers fighting in opposite sides in Greek Civil War is contrived and unconvincing, and when the movie loses its footing it simply resorts to lyricism flatly deploring the effects of civil war. Psyhi Vathia, in its inability to decide what it wants to be or how it should say what it wants to say, loses any real interest in politics as well and it is finally reduced to a rather naive statement of patriotism depriving the audience of a thorough and credible insight at the machinations that brought this war. A few good battle scenes and beautiful woods cinematography do not save the day.

One being familiar with the –in many aspects- minute Greek cinema can't possibly ignore a new film by Pantelis Voulgaris, a predominant figure in the Modern Greek Cinematography. "Psihi Vathia" i.e. "Deep (Courageous) Soul", is a film about two brothers finding themselves in opposite sides during the Greek civil war which, by the way, left ineradicable marks in the modern Greek history as well as in the modern Greek mythology, a civil war that followed the end of WWII. Voulgaris has been accused by some critics that in his honest effort to propose his own version of reconciliation (good guys and bad guys are in both sides) he finds himself trapped in a swamp of melodrama… Personally, I agree that the accusation is fair. Remember the young soldier dying with his mind and last thought in his 40 drachmas' debt (!!!). The battle scenes are perhaps more that what Voulgaris' budget could afford but there is some beautiful woods cinematography which, indeed, does not save the day. Some tried to compare "Psihi Vathia" with "El laberinto del fauno" by Guillermo del Toro . An unfortunate comparison, because, sadly,Voulgaris this time does not manage –as he did with his wonderful but underrated "Nyfes" (Brides)- to score

The issue is sovereignty.

When you visit the military museum in Athens you will find that Greek history is blacked out between 1944 and 1949 jumping from the Nazi retreat in 1944 to The Korean war.

This Movie tells some of that missing story and is a good start for the healing process of the Hellenic Nation. It is impossible to understand what is being undone now by means of reforms under brutal austerity which will bring back old conflict and strive and direct the nation on course of a new civil war. The meddling of exterior parties in Greek affairs has never been greater since the civil war of 1944-49. The war on Greeks is waged financially economically, with information as primary weapon. In 2012 people die, not by napalm but because of lack of Medication and increased suicide rate. And again, they die on both sides.

There were some brilliant scenes in the movie, especially some of the scenes when the two brothers meet and the scene in the snow and the tent. Really captured the pain of a civil war.

As Guns and Roses say: what's so civil about war anyway?

My biggest gripe about the film was that it seemed to paint the communist guerrillas in much more favorable light than they deserved. Americans come across as the nasty guys. Very stereotype. Anyone wonder what Greece would have been like if the Soviets did come to the guerrilla's rescue (as some of the characters long)?

A film worth watching.

The movie tries to portray all the suffering and pain that a civil war brings. At times the emotions are high, especially in after-battle scenes. The director tries to focus on both parties (maybe with a a little left-party bias).. Overall the movie succeeds in creating an engaging atmosphere although some scenes seem a bit rushed and unclear (towards the end).

Definitely worth watching,