Greek cinema is multi faceted, but with a strong satirical tradition frequently directed against the traditional pillars of Greek society; the church, politicians, the military and the bureaucracy.
In “The Philosopher” the satirical sword cuts a swath through intellectuals, philosophy, religion, television, academia, book publishers and film production.
It is a movie about movie production.
Stavros is a film professor and a failed filmmaker specializing in analyzing feature film scripts. Interest in his course is waning and he is given the boot. A new award-winning hot shot short film producer has usurped his importance if not relevance. Students are more interested in how to win film awards than anything deeper.
Stavros transitions to writing a book on philosophy but it amounts to a stream of gibberish. Is philosophy in its essence gibberish and sophisticated wordsmithing? It would seem so as all he spouts is unintelligible. Anytime some philosophical expression is used in the film it makes no sense and it is often used to confuse and intimidate people!
Stavros encounters no success in locating a willing publisher until Rigma Publishing expresses its interest but he will have to pay a large fee to have it distributed. Rigma also specializes in planning children’s birthday parties! Philosophy is no hot seller. Stavros’ book is a dud despite a high-profile celebrity launch where the celebrities are more interested in selling themselves than bolstering book sales. Copies of the book are sold at a promotional event but purchasers want celebrity autographs leaving Stavros alone in a corner. Rigma pockets the sale proceeds of the books and the revenue from the cash bar. Book publishers as scam artists?
In a memorable scene the “great philosopher” Stavros works on his manuscript on his balcony with a beautiful Athenian sunset eating his souvlaki while the junkman rolls through in the street below with his loudspeaker offering to remove junk. Does that include the manuscript Stavros is writing! Stavros and his daughter Daphne live in a filthy pigsty. Socrates he is not!
The only connection Stavros makes is with a Moldavian prostitute he frequents who happens to be a philosophy major bearing in mind a Moldavian degree in philosophy is worth two loaves of bread and a box of condoms.
Desperate Stavros considers an offer to be involved in a television production of a pet show as that is where the sponsorship is. The masses want drivel not philosophy but again philosophy in the film is nothing but drivel.
Then a miracle happens with his book suddenly being sold out but even that is a sham.
Throughout the film we see a film crew filming the film and the director, playing himself, spouts yet more philosophy. What can I say but promise me you will never read Hegel.
A major HOOT of a film.
By the way by hooker and sinker do you really think he has sold his book out. Where are the loaves of bread and box of condoms?
The director is Stratos Tzitzis.
RKS Film Rating 88/100.
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