“Lost on Kythera” is a comedic spoof not afraid to jab here and there. It carries on a spoofing and satirical streak like Greek cinema of the 1960’s and 1970’s and at times verges on slapstick.
Louie (Louie Betton) and Maria (Nancy Boukli) both university students are twenty months into a romantic relationship and have taken some time off to visit the beautiful Greek island of Kythera. Maria is Greek.
After cavorting in the ocean they return to their campsite and encounter a taxi driver who offers them a lift back to their campsite, a house for purchase and a free tour. Yes the taxi driver is blind. Only in Greece could a blind driver obtain a taxi license! What tourist in Greece wouldn’t want a free tour. Is there an expression, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!”
The taxi driver leaves them in a small village and shows them the house for sale. Strangely, a bottle of wine and cheese plate awaits them as if someone knew they were coming. The taxi driver departs without advising the love birds and Louie and Maria can’t find a way out of the village. Wherever they go they end up in front of that house for sale. Again, strangely a beautiful dinner is in the outdoor oven awaiting their dining delight. After waking up the next day they try to leave and end up where they started and more strangeness as it is sunny in the village but it is surrounded by heavy fog. How many times have I heard in Greece a tourist say that it is so beautiful who would want to leave!
In the meantime, Aphrodite, up above, watches Louie and Maria as after all they are lovers. Hymeros, Aphrodite’s gay assistant, is by her side full of flippant comments. Yes Greeks practice inclusion!
We encounter Kytherians Georgos and Poppi elderly brother and sister farmers in a perpetual deadpan state. So deadpan it is comedic. Georgos wishes to drain their bank account and bury it in the ground as Greek politicians are crooks and their money will end up in one of the politician’s Swiss bank accounts. Nice jab at Greek politicians.
Then the Professor and her assistant Benson arrive. The Professor is a buxom lady and Benson a bumbling nerdy type. They are looking for Aphrodite’s Heavenly Temple thought to be once located up in the Kytherian Hills. Aphrodite is not amused with their mission. Comedic characters most likely due to their over the top stereotypic mannerisms.
Then there is the crusty old lady widow the cigar smoking Aliki (Efi Stamouli) slightly menacing but not evil. She is the only inhabitant of the village and Poppi remarks to Georgos that Aliki now has “fresh blood” and too bad about the death of the last couple. Has horror now replaced comedy?
As to which characters are lost on Kythera? You may agree with me that all are lost if not physically then psychologically.
There are solid elements of fantasy, romance, suspense, horror, comedy, satire if not absurdity. A combination to keep all viewers happy.
In both Greek and English with English subtitles when Greek spoken.
If I was to say “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” lives in “Lost on Kythera” along with “Pyscho” and “North by Northwest” what would you think? And that strawberry jam on the pitchfork?
This Greek Australian production is directed by James Prineas.
It will be featured in the 4th annual Greek International Film Festival Tour (Canada) showing in 11 Canadian cities 1-31October2024. For more information see https://gifft.ca
RKS 2024 Film Rating 85/100.
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