Anazitisis... (1972)

The movie is a point of reference to the 1970s reflecting the life-style of the upper class within all its glamour and exaggeration. One can easily trace the influence of French and Italian sensual cinema in this Greek production and, just like other works by Errikos Andreou and Klearhos Konitsiotis, "Anazitisis" is received by a large audience in Greece as cult, mainly because of all the "glitter" it is sprinkled and the sometimes grotesque dialogs. The presence of a good cast doesn't seem to support what in reality is a weak movie. Intentionally an erotic thriller, the film cannot be labeled as such having a fair amount of romantic drama in it and climax in soap-opera fashion. Although it is uncertain whether that was initially planned, "Anazitisis", like many other films of the same era and genre has become what is widely known as a "silent ad" for tourism depicting the attractions of all-time favourite holiday destinations such as the Greek islands. In my opinion this was just a trend back at the day and not some kind of state-imposed policy. The rare beauty of Elena Nathanail and the atmospheric music by Giannis Spanos (another '70s trademark) are the most important qualities which, without rescuing the film, justify its reputation as cult.