ELIVIP and Athens Open Air Film Festival, in their first collaboration, present in the garden of ELIVIP, in Paleo Psychiko, two films based on books. They are The Hours and Howards End. The films are introduced by Thanasis Hatzopoulos, poet and psychoanalyst, and Katerina Schina, translator and literary critic.

Thursday 03 July| The Hours

Director: Stephen Daldry

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris

Duration: 111′

Year: 2002

An introduction by Thanasis Hatzopoulos, poet and psychoanalyst

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) and her famous novel Mrs. Dalloway—which marked its 100th anniversary since first publication this year—are at the core of the award-winning novel The Hours. Its author, Michael Cunningham, intertwines the stories of three women living in different eras and with distinct personalities, united by Woolf’s work and exploring philosophical themes of time, identity, and the impact of Art on life.

The novel presents Woolf in the English countryside of the 1920s, struggling with her inner demons and writing until her suicide in 1941 by the River Ouse in Sussex; Laura Brown, a housewife in 1950s Los Angeles, who, unable to find meaning in her “perfect picture,” makes a life-altering decision; and Clarissa Vaughan, a publisher in late 20th-century New York, feeling vulnerable and sad as she organizes a party.

These women search for what gives meaning to their existence, battling inner demons and external circumstances, claiming their share of love, hope, or despair. The film adaptation was both a major artistic and commercial success, receiving nine Oscar nominations and winning Best Actress (Nicole Kidman).

Michael Cunningham’s novel The Hours was published in Greek in 2000 by A.A. Livani, translated by Lyo Kalovyrna.

Friday 04 July |  Howards End

Director: James Ivory

Cast: Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonam Carter, Vanessa Redgrave

Duration: 140′

Year: 1992

An introduction by Katerina Schina, translator and literary critic

Edward Morgan Forster’s famous novel vividly and insightfully depicts Edwardian England’s society amid change, focusing on the increasingly close connection between the world of intellect and the world of money. Set against the backdrop of the country house “Howards End,” Forster presents the intellectual Schlegel siblings, who are passionate about freedom of expression, the Arts, women’s equality, and discourse, contrasted with the pragmatic Wilcoxes, who are more interested in sports cars, commerce, capitalism, and action. The story’s (tragicomic) momentum builds when these two worlds come into close contact through the engagement of the youngest, rebellious Schlegel daughter to a Wilcox.

While exploring conflicts between social conventions and individual desire, and struggles between genders and classes, the work ultimately highlights the effort to connect with the Other as the only true path to a meaningful life.

The 1990s film adaptation by James Ivory was a major success, receiving nine Oscar nominations and winning three: Best Actress (Emma Thompson), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction.

The novel Howards End by E.M. Forster was published in Greek in 1992 by Kastaniotis Publishers (translation by Yuri Kovalenko), by Kleidi–Nea Synora Livanis (translation by Giorgos Kousounelos), and by Ermia (translation by Pavlos P. Nathanail). In 2007, it was also published by Metaixmio with a translation by Gogo Arvaniti

Film subtitling: Lena Tahmazidou and Yannis Papadakis
Supervised by: Yannis Papadakis– projecT:TLING