Meteor and Shadow

Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT: scandal-love-passion-eros-mystery-romance-drugs!
Review: ...Napoleon Lapathiotis (1888-1944), Greece's most esteemed poet!!!

The eccentric life and poignant death of Greek poet Napoleon Lapathiotis are the subject of this mannered, stylized biography by Takis Spetsiotis.The film is about the rise and fall of the poet Napoleon Lapathiotis (1888- 1944), based on a series of authentic documents and set against the background of major historical events of a very important period of political and social developments in Greece, as well as the influences of European cultural events on our culture. The film does not center on Lapathiotis' poetical work, but focuses mainly on his life-style. A homosexual, drug- addict and communist, he created a scandal in the conservative society of Athens in his days and in the social class from which he came.

With finesse, sensitivity, a sense of rhythm and daring, which present segments of the life of the poet Napoleon Lapathiotis, Takis Spetsiotis goes beyond the classic model of the film biography, in order to fashion a portrait of a romantic, a dandy, a homosexual and leftist, who committed suicide when he was no longer able to transform aesthetics into action and nobility of spirit into the equivalent nourishment. Through chapters which bear the names of his friends, the prewar decades (1900- 1940) come alive by virtue of the sets, the costumes and the pastel photographs, something which for our standards and meagre financial means constitutes a remarkable feat.

So,.... brilliant. So,... European!!!

Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD...!!!! Pure cinematography
Review: A stunning BIOGRAPHY: His lifestyle shocked and scandalized Athens, though his poetry is still esteemed as among the greatest works of Greek literature. Instead he has fashioned a fascinating portrait of the poet Napoleon Lapathiotis (1888-1944) that both celebrates his life and stylishly depicts his tragic fall and eventual suicide. A romantic, charming leftist homosexual, Lapathiotis created a scandal in Athens when he refused to follow the rules of conservative Greek society. It is well-made, and well-performed film... it reminds me how cinema films should be!

Rating:
Summary: 1000% Beautiful film...
Review: If u r a fun of historical films that involve the local societies in the European area this is certanly a very good film for you... It is a low-budget film and it has a hint of a very good direction, good play, nice music, excellent story and everyone can like something different. Napoleon Lapathiotis is a person that socked the society of Athens with his wild life. Well, nowadays everyone things that modernisation is everywhere and always was like that.... It is not. This is really a picture from the past century society in South Europe, and beautifull seens from Athens. Classic, yet for people who like this kind of movies!

Rating:
Summary: I Wanna C it Again Plz...
Review: In Meteor and Shadow Greek director/writer Takis Spetsiotis has avoided the clichés of the typical film biography. Napoleon Lapathiotis is another hero, less popular, could be importnant for the history of Greece and Europe. Amazing photography. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: I Wanna C it Again Plz...
Review: In Meteor and Shadow Greek director/writer Takis Spetsiotis has avoided the clichés of the typical film biography. Napoleon Lapathiotis is another hero, less popular, could be importnant for the history of Greece and Europe. Amazing photography. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: OWAH! So good...
Review: One of the best films I ever saw. Excellent cinematographic Material, cast and play. The film is about the rise and fall of the poet Napoleon Lapathiotis, based on a series of authentic documents and set against the background of major historical events of a very important period of political and social developments in Greece, as well as the influences of European cultural events on our culture. His lifestyle was too much for Athens in the beginning of that century....It will really suprise you.

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece of contemporary European Cinema
Review: The film captures the biography of a very important person of the gay european history. The story of Napoleon Lapathiotis, an openly gay, communist, drug-abusing poet in turn-of-the-century Greece. His lifestyle shocked and scandalized Athens, though his poetry is still esteemed as among the greatest works of Greek literature. His life through the eyes of the director is highly hedonistic and joyful. Reality issues involved... An excellent film to have, to hold and watch.

Rating:
Summary: Greek society+"someone different"+love+poetry=THE movie
Review: The films illustrates the lifestyle of the poet Napoleon Lapathiotis...very provocate personality in the Athens of that time. Very nice cinematographic view of the director!

A biographical style movie that u will love if you like history-biography type films. Set against the harsh exteriors of Athens life (in the beggining of 1900), the actors combine here to make a memorable film film with a truly European feel.

Rating:
Summary: CINEMA, JUST CINEMA
Review: THIS is one of the best films I ever saw in my entire life. Very good cinematographic material to be shown to a film school as a sample of Greek Cinema in the early 80's.