Das Frühlingstreffen

This film by Greek director Dimos Avdeliodis presents an original and entertaining combination of rural legend, political parable and seasonal comedy (a new genre created especially for this occasion). The story takes us to the island of Chios in the 1960s where the filmmaker was born. At that time the law was established by the rural police who, on the one hand represent the local bosses, on the other are a thorn in the side of the poor villagers who have to keep them sweet in order that their crops are safe-guarded. The village of Tholopotamo also has its own policeman, but when he is found dead in the fields, they have trouble getting an immediate replacement. Despite the fact that candidates for the job are hard to find, since the village is beset by strange goings-on, every season a new man in blue turns up at the local tavern. None of them is able to tame the Tholopotamo inhabitants until the fourth one arrives and shows himself to be a man who understands the world of living tales and myths. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)