Pandelis is a garbageman who is anxiously waiting to retire and receive his well-earned superannuation payout. His wife and mother-in-law are also awaiting the super payout, but they have different ideas as to how the money should be spent. The usually submissive and calm Pandelis suddenly decides to react... Philippides does a sterling job as the long-suffering Pandelis and his vicissitudes leave one with a warm feeling. Unlikely though the scenario may seem, one wishes it to be true, thus giving hope for the many Pandelides out there who find themselves contemplating life in their middle years with regret and disappointment.
Acting
Filippidis weaponizes deadpan suffering into something weirdly heroic.
Writing
Economic anxiety as comedy without punching down.
Director
Nikos Zapatinas
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 2001 Greek pension crisis made this absurd premise painfully real for working-class audiences.
Filippidis improvised most of Pandelis's silent reactions; Zapatinas kept the camera rolling for minutes.
GR
