The 65th Thessaloniki Film Festival kicked off on October 31st with a mission to use film as a tool for exploring complex social and political issues. Festival director Orestis Andreadakis said movies can help audiences understand real-world challenges like war, climate change, and the rise of extremism.
The opening night film was “Maria,” a biopic about Greek opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie. The festival will close with Joshua Oppenheimer’s dystopian musical “The End.” Andreadakis said the lineup features films that provide meaningful commentary on contemporary global themes.
One highlight is a tribute program called “We, the Monsters,” curated by former Berlin and Locarno director Carlo Chatrian. It examines how filmmakers have depicted society’s fears through monstrous imagery and stories of marginalized groups. Andreadakis noted this can reveal humanity’s potential for inhumane acts within political systems and individual actions.
The 11-day festival will screen 252 feature films and shorts from around the world. Twelve emerging directors are competing for awards, including films from Belgium like “Julie Keeps Quiet” and one from Poland called “Under the Volcano.”
Several cinema icons will receive awards, such as actors Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes who will get Honorary Golden Alexander awards. Actor Matt Dillon will present his new film “Being Maria.” Greek director Panos Koutras will be honored for his work in queer cinema through a retrospective.
While acknowledging film cannot directly change geopolitics, Andreadakis believes it can alter perspectives. He said movies have the power to influence how audiences think about and engage with real-world crises, from the conflict in Ukraine to uncertainties in global politics. The Thessaloniki festival aims to use that power to foster mutual understanding between divided peoples.
