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 “THE CELEBRATION” (FESTEN)
EMS Foyer
Opening: 18 November 2016

 

“Festen” was introduced to the Greek audience by the Thomas Vinterberg film, which rocked the cinematic world of the time when it was first screened in 1998. It was the first film of Dogme 95, the filmmaking movement created by Lars von Trier, together with other Danish filmmakers to create a film form, which would not rely on the technical means, special effects and contracts that give viewers an illusion of reality. “What we did in ‘Festen’ was closely connected to theatre, I guess the most the two arts can connect”, said Vinterberg. In 2004, David Eldridge adapted the film for the theatre. A masterpiece that focuses on family and could be considered a modern tragedy.

 

 

During a family gathering, the harmony that prevailed for years in the Hansen family home gets disturbed. The honoured person is the father, Helge, a successful businessman, who celebrates his sixtieth birthday surrounded by his family members and close friends. The well-hidden family secrets are revealed, but without really shocking anyone.
 
Giannis Paraskevopoulos, who has already directed 13 plays for the NTNG, says: “Dogme 95 was created by a group of directors and aimed at creating a more pure cinematic form. It was a way for directors to react against the domination of producers and film traditions giving viewers the illusion of reality. The film industry became a ‘glamorous situation’ at the expense of the characters and the plot, at the expense of the character seen on the screen. At a time when the theatre in many cases is also a ‘glamorous open situation’, the potential of putting on ‘Festen’ makes me feel the need to create along with my colleagues our DOGME and to look again at what the core of theatre is: Man”.