By Christina Savopoulos
The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024). Haralambidis is credited as director, writer and cast member in the film, and it’s clear he has poured himself into creating it.
A late-night radio announcer on the cusp of turning 50 re-examines his youth after finding an old answering machine which captured messages from a past fling. Determined to find the woman from the recordings, he airs the messages during his nightly broadcast.
Athens Midnight Radio thrives on nostalgia and reminiscing about the past. Viewers slowly and dreamily enter the nocturnal world of Athens. The presence of an answering machine, old phone books, music played from records, and phone booths remind us of forms of communication and connection which have mostly been replaced in the modern world.
Cinematography from Kostis Gikas beautifully evokes the movements of Athens. Trains rushing past. Dancers moving in desolate spaces. Marathon runners preparing for a midnight race. All movements are seamlessly paired with the soundtrack from Philip Marinelis.
The film is essentially Haralambidis’ love letter to Athens, its ancient sites, the presence of the Evzones and a feeling that anything is possible when wandering the streets of Athens after dark.
Treating Athens as almost another character in the film reminded me of the dreamy shots in ‘90s classic Sleepless in Seattle. I was instantly relaxed and at ease following Haralambidis’ characters on their nighttime Athenian explorations.
Watching (and hearing) the love story unfold in a delicately passionate manner left me intrigued by Haralambidis’ character. Once a dedicated Evzone, there was more to uncover about his life which I wish had replaced some of the more repetitive moments of the film.
Haralambidis discussed the making of Athens Midnight Radio in a recent interview with The Greek Herald. He said, “It was more of a philosophical journey than a cinematic one. I don’t want to talk too much about the film because that would detract from the viewing experience. However, I aspire for it to be a cathartic cinematic experience.”
This cathartic experience is definitely felt as viewers are taken on the journey of a romantic reminiscence of the past.
The film never quite reaches the climax it seems to be leading to, but viewers are still left feeling satisfied by its powerful conclusion.
Asking the question ‘what if?’ drives the film as Haralambidis’ character speaks directly to his audience as if they are the listeners of his late-night show. Through his direction, writing, and performance, Haralambidis has created a thoughtful meditation on the longing to recreate a sense of youth by reaching into the past.
Melbourne GFF audiences are treated to six more screenings of Athens Midnight Radio, including a Q & A with Renos Haralambidis tonight. The film has also been chosen for Sydney’s GFF closing night event on October 26th.
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