''Stella'' ( el, Στέλλα) is a 1955 Greek film is a retelling of '' Carmen'' featuring Melina Mercouri. The film was directed by the Greek Cypriot

Michael Cacoyannis Michael Cacoyannis ( el, Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης, ''Michalis Kakogiannis''; 11 June 1922 – 25 July 2011), sometimes credited as Michael Yannis, was a Greek Cypriot theatre and film director, writer, producer, and actor. ...

and written by Cacoyannis and Iakovos Kambanelis. The music was composed by Manos Hadjidakis and Vassilis Tsitsanis. ''Stella'' was originally intended to be a stage play with the title ''Stella with the Red Gloves'', but it was never staged. It has been claimed that this story was the perfect vehicle for the thirty-five-year-old Mercouri's film debut. Indeed, it was the hit that Melina Mercouri needed. The film sparked great controversy, and although it was initially rejected by Greek critics, it is now considered one of the five greatest Greek films. At the

1955 Cannes Film Festival The 8th Cannes Film Festival was held from 26 April to 10 May 1955. The Golden Palm went to the US film '' Marty'' by Delbert Mann. The festival opened with '' Du rififi chez les hommes'' by Jules Dassin and closed with ''Carmen Jones'' by Otto P ...

, where the film was screened, Melina met Jules Dassin, her future husband, mentor, and director. He helped her to secure major roles in such films as '' Topkapi'', '' Never on Sunday'', ''

Phaedra Phaedra may refer to: Mythology * Phaedra (mythology), Cretan princess, daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus Arts and entertainment * ''Phaedra'' (Alexandre Cabanel), an 1880 painting Film * ''Phaedra'' (film), a 1962 film by ...

'', and '' 10:30 P.M. Summer'', which became major international successes.

Plot

The story of a fiercely independent and uncompromising young woman. Stella, a rembetiko singer at Paradise nightclub, lives a guiltless, turbulent life. Her innate independence and assertive nature lead her to numerous passionate love affairs. While with Aleko, son of a wealthy family, she decides, as is her habit, to break up before the relationship wears off. Once she meets Miltos, a young

soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

player, she seems to change. At first, she avoids his advances, but, later, gives in to him. However, she can only be with him on her own terms. No matter how much she loves him, she mostly values her freedom. Things turn complicated when she is called to choose. She repeatedly rejects Miltos marriage proposals. When Miltos finally forces her to accept the idea of marriage, Stella does not appear in church, despite Miltos repeatedly warning her that he will kill her if she doesn't marry him. Miltos kills her with a dagger at end of the film. It has been said that the story of Stella's forced marriage symbolises the forces that are constantly trying to impose their will on Greece.

Cast

* Melina Mercouri as Stella * Giorgos Fountas as Miltos *

Alekos Alexandrakis Alekos Alexandrakis ( el, Αλέκος Αλεξανδράκης; 27 November 1928 – 8 November 2005) was a famous Greece, Greek actor. He was known for his theatrical work as well as work in film and television. He died of lung cancer. Alexa ...

as Alekos * Christina Kalogerikou as Miltos' Mother *

Voula Zouboulaki Voula Zouboulaki ( el, Βούλα Ζουμπουλάκη; born Paraskevi Zouboulaki; 24 September 1924 – 7 September 2015) was an Egyptian-born Greek actress. She was the wife of actor Dimitris Myrat. She attended the Dramatic School of the Nati ...

as Anetta * Dionysis Papagiannopoulos as Mitsos * Sofia Vembo as Maria *

Costas Kakavas Kostas or Costas ( el, Κώστας) is a Greek given name and surname. As a given name it is the hypocorism for Konstantinos ( Constantine). Given name * Costas Andreou, Greek musician * Kostas Antetokounmpo (born 1997), a Greek basketball play ...

as Antonis (as Kostas Karalis) *

Tasso Kavadia Anastasia (Tasso) Kavadia ( el, Τασσώ Καββαδία; 10 January 1921 – 18 December 2010) was a Greek film and television actress. Biography Kavadia was born on 10 January 1921 in Patras. She studied piano in Athens, writing and ...

as Alekos' Sister *

as Wedding guest

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stella 1955 films 1950s Greek-language films 1955 drama films 1950s feminist films Films directed by Michael Cacoyannis Films set in Greece Films shot in Athens Films scored by Manos Hatzidakis Greek drama films Greek black-and-white films