Takis (Aky Ilaskarazisis) raises sheep in a small Greek village. Takis has a longstanding feud with Kyriakou (Dimitris Xanthopoulos) over land ownership. A situation of two hot heads colliding in a violent verbal spar starting the film with Kyriakou without much community support just being released from three years in prison. Community standards run high in rural Greece in matters of reputation.
Takis’ son Pavlos (Pavlos Iordanopolous) is a morose bumbler without drive or much intelligence. Young Albanian farm labourer Christos (Kostas Nikouli) is treated like a son by Takis and he is certainly sharper than Pavlos.
On the night prior to Takis’ new butcher shop opening Pavlos and Christos after a night of excessive drinking hear a commotion in the barn and catch Kyriakou poisoning sheep. A violent argument ensues with Pavlos in an alcohol fuelled rage fatally shooting Kyriakou. Christos urges Pavlos to disclose the foul deed to Takis but Pavlos disagrees and they shoddily bury the body in a nearby field. Shoddy because a heavy rain exposes the body.
Knowing the great mutual hatred between Takis and Kyriakou the village gossip pins Takis as the murderer. The police chief Yorgos (Yorgos Simeonidis), recipient of many bribes from Takis pertaining to his business operations, does his best to maintain silence about the event but can only contain so much considering the intensity of village gossip. And Pavlos’ lighter found by Antonis who discovered the corpse is used to blackmail Takis into making a hush money payout.
Pavlos’ parents learn the truth from Pavlos of his out-of-control rage killing of Kryiakos and promises of 20,000 Euros per prison year served by Christos and a transfer of the butcher shop to him upon his release are negotiated with Christos should he admit to the killing. Being Albanian his credibility is weak and his and his mother’s financial needs are great. Will Christos accept the deal? Realistically does he have any choice?
The moral corruption of numerous characters is explored in the film as well as the incessant power of village gossip.
The immediate matter is solved by yet another out of control outburst. A intriguing study of rage, moral corruption, extortion, ethnic prejudice, poverty and clash of characters.
A commanding performance by Aky Ilaskarazisis.
Directed by Dimitris Nakos.
Watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/embed/bUdq1ZNnMps
RKS 2024 Film Rating 86/100.
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