Reconstruction

'Reconstruction' is a drama and crime film of Greek origin, directed by the renowned filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos in 1970. The movie features Toula Stathopoulou, renowned actors Yannis Totsikas and Thanos Grammenos in principal roles, and explores themes of love, infidelity, corruption, and estrangement set against the context of Greece in the 1970s. Known for merging stark realism with provocative socio-political themes, Angelopoulos molds an evocative narrative in this movie that is hailed as a groundbreaking work in Greek cinema.

The movie begins in a remote mountainous village in Northern Greece that has been largely abandoned due to the harsh winter and the mass migration of men in search for jobs. This seeming desolation and the unforgiving terrain becomes a character of its own in the narrative, cleverly symbolizing the growing isolation, despair, and dissension among people in the time of economic hardship.

The film primarily revolves around the tragic and alarming event of a murder of a man who returned from Germany, where he was working as a guest worker, only to find his wife has taken a new lover. The murder becomes a talking point when the villagers return in the summer and the complexities of the event start to unravel, revealing themes of betrayal, jealousy, and passion.

Toula Stathopoulou plays the role of the wife mired in the scandalous situation. Her subtle, multi-layered performance expertly encapsulates a woman caught in the crossfire of a strict patriarchal society, economic hardships and personal desire for companionship. Yannis Totsikas as the murdered husband and Thanos Grammenos as the new lover deliver compelling performances that capture the convoluted dynamics in the noting triangle.

'Mr. Angelopoulos cleverly uses the genre of crime-drama to offer a nuanced critique of contemporary Greek society and its ongoing struggles with modernity. The film is also a take on the then socio-political circumstances prevalent in Greece. Through its intricate narrative structure which shifts from the investigation in the present to the past, showing interactions among the villagers and the love triangle, the film allows viewers to piece together layers of the story while grappling with underlying social issues like abandonment of rural areas, emigration for better opportunities and the inherent loneliness in a globalized world.

The camera work of 'Reconstruction' serves not only as a storytelling device but also as a medium of exploring the stunning landscapes of Northern Greece. The audience is served with breathtaking shots of the village, the wholesome and raw beauty of the open valleys, the decaying and isolated houses – all of which add to the gloomy environment of the film. The stark visual contrast between the warmth of the summers and the chill of the winters further heightens the film's themes, drawing in the audience and allowing them to experience the hardships of the characters viscerally.

The film's power also rests in its atmospheric score. The music, like the film, is subtle, nuanced, and manages to create an aura of tranquility and turbulence simultaneously. The poignant score intensifies the sense of isolation, despair and desolation that pervades the narrative.

'Reconstruction' also marks the start of Angelopoulos's exploration into the concept of time and memory in filmmaking. He plays with the linearity of time, often moving back and forth in the narrative, intertwining past and present, showing events not chronologically but in the way they're remembered. This narrative experimentation makes the line separating the observer from the observed blur, pulling the audience further into the story.

It also touches upon deeply engrained sexism, highlighting the status of women in Greek society at the time, and reflects upon the oppressive and rigid patriarchal norms that govern their lives. The movie subtly invites its viewers to question these prejudiced norms of society through its artfully narrated plot.

In brief, 'Reconstruction' is an intense exploration of the human condition against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society, showcasing Angelopoulos's mastery in storytelling and his unique cinematic style. The film stands out for its bold narrative, engaging performances, and visually stimulating cinematography, making it a must-watch for lovers of thought-provoking cinema.