''Loafing and Camouflage'' ( el, Λούφα και Παραλλαγή, translit=Lufa kai Paralagi; 1984) is a Greek comedy film directed by
Nikos Perakis
Nikos Perakis ( el, Νίκος Περάκης; born 11 September 1944) is a Greek writer and film director. He studied at the Fine Arts Academy of Munich. At that time he worked as a set and costume designer. His 1984 film ''Loafing and Camouflag ...
. It was followed by the motion picture Living Dangerously (
Greek: BiOS + πολιτεία,
romanized: BiOS + politeia; 1987 ), bringing the characters in a post-20 year "reunion". In 2005, ''
Loafing and Camouflage: Sirens in the Aegean'' was released, bearing no relation to the first installment; instead, telling the story of a modern-day Army company. A TV series version of the movie aired for two seasons, featuring actors from the latest L&C movie in the roles of the original characters from the 1984 installment.
Synopsis
The film tells the story of a group of soldiers, who, during their compulsory
military service
Military service is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, air forces, and naval forces, whether as a chosen job ( volunteer) or as a result of an involuntary draft (conscription).
Some nations (e.g., Mexico) require ...
in 1967 and 1968, before and during the
Greek Junta, are assigned to the, then, recently founded Armed Forces Television. This TV station, founded for the civilian population, was run by the Army Cinematographic Unit which until then had only produced propaganda films and newsreels and was responsible for entertaining the troops and other charity organizations with movie screenings. The personnel was composed mostly of soldiers, who already had experience in the film business in their civilian lives, as well as those who received their training in the army.
The setting, characters and situations portrayed in the film are largely autobiographical. During his military service, Perakis helped set up the experimental
Armed Forces Television station in the premises of the
Hellenic Military Geographical Service
The Hellenic Military Geographical Service or HMGS ( el, Γεωγραφική Υπηρεσία Στρατού or Γ.Υ.Σ.), is the Hellenic Military's mapping agency.
History
Established in 1889 as the “Geodetic Mission” with the purpose o ...
, and the film shows a fictionalized account of this period.
Cast
* Nikos Kalogeropoulos as
Private Giannis Papadopoulos
*
Giorgos Kimoulis as
Private Achilleas Lambrou
* Takis Spyridakis as
Private Panagiotis Balourdos
* Fotis Polychronopoulos as
Private Michail Karamanos, aka
Karamazov
* Giannis Chatziyannis as
Private Petros Savidis
* Paris Tselios as
Private Marlafekas
*
Stavros Xenidis as
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
A. Kontellis
* Andreas Filippidis as
Lieutenant Colonel Minas Katsampelas
*
Christos Valavanidis Major D. Karavidis
* Antonis Theodorakopoulos as
Captain
* Nikos Tsachiridis as
Sergeant Major
Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world.
History
In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in th ...
* Tania Kapsali as Emmanouella Dimaki
* Ifigenia Makati as Katerina Papadopoulou
* Rocky Taylor as Cindy
*
Dimitris Poulikakos as John Papaloukas
* Michalis Maniatis as Mr. Karlatos
* Ira Papamichail as Soula
Awards
* Special Mention, 1985,
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), organized by the cultural institution of the same name under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, is held every November in Thessaloniki.TIFF features international competition secti ...
* Grand Prix, 1984,
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), organized by the cultural institution of the same name under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, is held every November in Thessaloniki.TIFF features international competition secti ...
* Best Screenplay, 1984,
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), organized by the cultural institution of the same name under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, is held every November in Thessaloniki.TIFF features international competition secti ...
* Best Actor, 1984,
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), organized by the cultural institution of the same name under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, is held every November in Thessaloniki.TIFF features international competition secti ...
* Best Editing, 1984,
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
The Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF), organized by the cultural institution of the same name under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, is held every November in Thessaloniki.TIFF features international competition secti ...
*
Golden Bear
The Golden Bear (german: Goldener Bär) is the highest prize awarded for the best film at the Berlin International Film Festival. The bear is the heraldic animal of Berlin, featured on both the coat of arms and flag of Berlin.
History
The win ...
, Nominated,
35th Berlin International Film Festival
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, 0123976
1984 films
Greek satirical films
1980s Greek-language films
Films directed by Nikos Perakis
Comedy films based on actual events
Films set in Greece
1980s political comedy films
Works about the Greek junta
1984 comedy films
Films about coups d'état
Films about propaganda