Little England

Little England is the beautiful Greek island of Andros, in the 1930's - an island breeding sailors who spend most of their lives at sea, while some of them are destined never to return. Their women – mothers, daughters, wives, lovers - adjust their own lives to the pattern of the men's absence, looking forward to the happy yet brief homecomings, always praying for their safety, always half-dreading the worst.

This is the premise of the film's story - a tragic love story of epic proportions - based on Ioanna Karystiani's best-selling book. Mrs. Karystiani herself finely adapts her novel for the screen, while her husband, renowned Greek director Pantelis Voulgaris ("Brides") takes it from there and, with the help of a great cast of actors, creates an almost flawless masterpiece.

(I am not supposed to give away any spoilers, so I can only say that the film's climactic scene will probably make it to my personal top ten movie moments of all time).

Within a general view, this movie is highly above average. Moreover, the last 40-45 minutes of the movie is almost perfect; proper cinematography, aesthetic scenes and succesful tension of psychological portrays.

But, the movie has a rhytm problem. Within different parts of the movie, events happen in different time speeds. In the beginning, years flow rapidly and some major matters happen in seconds or minutes. In middle parts, while rapid flowing continues, a moderate speed starts to determine the scenes. Finally, in last 40-45 minutes, the movie finds its rhytm and every seconds of movie gets more staggering.

Except rhytm problem; it is an awesome drama.

Mikra Aglia is a rare work of art . Pictures like paintings on a wall, music perfectly matched , excellency in acting and directing all in one film. Feelings of love and despair will reach your heart if you watch this film. The director slowly drags you to be part of the beautiful environment of the Greek island of Andros . In some dramatic scenes I felt like I was in the room witnessing the drama . A unique masterpiece. A film not to be missed from all those who seek quality cinema in a time when thousands of trash movies full of violence are produced ,mainly from the US, and consumed by societies increasing the real violence in them. I watched the film yesterday night and I will watch it again today . I watched more than one hundred films in the last six months and I felt the need to write a review only twice , for this film and for the "Best offer" of Giussepe Tornatore .

Thank you director ( Pantelis Voulgaris ) for the gift of watching this film .

Modern greek cinema has many flaws and generally tends to absurdity in its effort to be original and unique. But this movie stands out and feels so real, so grounded, so familiar and yet so original and unique.

The actors all give astounding performances and the music score, cinematography, photograph are contributing excellently to this beautiful movie.

It is a drama, in the original sense of the word although the ending offers no catharsis like the ancient drama. It does simulate though meaningful thoughts as to the pursuit of happiness in life.

One will not regret spending the time to watch this movie.

Great cinematography of landscapes and faces, portrays the unseen Greek island, the Greek people of the 30s, and a story about romance, submission and the silent triumph of love.

It grasps you from the beginning, so long you settle with the way these people are to speak. To my opinion, mostly when they are in silence, true performances emerge to be given by some of Greece's youngest and eldest actors, performances that go back and go deep into the human tale.

And, not to be missed! , one of the most excruciating scenes since the beginning of cinema, performed by Pinelopi Tsilika.