1981

ΟΙ ΑΠΕΝΑΝΤΙ

I APENANTI (THOSE OPPOSITE)

DIRECTED BY:
Giorgos Panousopoulos
SCRIPT:
Philippos Drakontaidis, Giorgos Panousopoulos, Petros Tatsopoulos
ΟΙ ΑΠΕΝΑΝΤΙ poster

My contribution to the film was small and more supportive than substantial. It was limited to Charis's austere room, the petty-bourgeois household of Stella, and an old spyglass that had to be retrofitted as a plausible telescope.

George had found most of the locations and we saw them again just for an alternative proposal or idea, but I also had to integrate my multinational art department staff in the unit – see IMDb – the Swede Siv as props woman, the American Tom as construction co-ordinator and Lambros, a Greek fanatical Greek biker who was put in charge of transportation. And I had to go back to primitive illustrated lists as a means of communication. I mustn't forget the German Heidrun, who was in training for her subsequent work as costume designer on Arpa Colla.

The last time I saw APENANTI was at the Open Air Festival 2013 in Abyssinia Square with Betty Livanou beside me, and when the camera entered Stella's apartment and I wondered aloud where we had managed to find all the household furnishings she replied stoically:

You raided my place!

PLOT

DRAWINGS+SKETCHES

Since Yiorgos Tsemberopoulos's frugal budget didn’t foresee any purchases or rentals of furniture and props, we were forced to cover all needs with offers from associates and friends. By showing them the sketches on the lists we got most of what we needed. Who doesn’t have on his balcony a couple of old flower pots he wants to get rid of or in his storeroom a three legged armchair?

After the nouveau-riche world of Felix Krull, the dark one of Charis was a challenge. There was no blackout paper on the market and thin cardboard was expensive, but I remembered the cheap blue paper we once used to wrap our school books and notebooks. Fortunately we found a faded roll in a little shop and Charis “the ghost” got the weird lighting he needed.

The film's biggest sponsor was actually Betty. If I remember correctly we left her only the bedroom furniture, but only because we were looking for a more “classic” set.

FRAMES+STILLS