A Bitter Song

Directed by Athina Tsoulis

Writer/director Athina Tsoulis's short film is a portrait of an immigrant Greek family in 1950s Auckland. The story focusses on middle child Thalia (Alexa Tsoulis Reay), who enjoys a close relationship with her mother Despina (Vicky Yiannoutsos). Father Dimitri (Yianni Tsitsiridakis) is a macho former soldier who frustrates his wife with his frequent nights out at the 'mens' club'. When Thalia goes to hospital for an operation, her feelings about her dad change. Tsoulis was born in Greece and grew up in Australia in a large Greek community.