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"Tour guide” and “Tungsten”, the first feature films of Zacharias Mavroidis and George Georgopoulos, respectively, are two completely different perspectives on the same character: Athens. These are two different images of the same city - one might say that Athens is an actor who plays different roles.

In "Tour Guide" we see a carefree summer Athens, full of life and joy. The architectural diversity and the world famous monuments, which the main actor of the film (Michalis Ikonomou) shows to the tourists, give a feeling of euphoria. Conversely, in the movie “Tungsten” Athens is black and white (literally), all neighborhoods are "anti-tourist", the buildings are sad (abandoned factories, workers' homes) and people are drowning in worries, stress and despair.

As the two young filmmakers, who presented their works to journalists last week  at ASTOR cinema, say, “the simultaneous screening of both movies on the big screen is a natural continuation of the spirit of collectivism and a mutual characteristic of the films in the stage of their distribution."

Also, their common screening on Thursday, November 24th, at "Mikrokozmos" and ASTOR cinemas, is an alternative proposal in the field of distribution, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome for any independent production in Greece. "We hope", say the directors, that "the simultaneous screening of the films in cinemas will give rise to more alternative distribution methods in the future."

The "Tour guide," says Zacharias Mavroidis, "a comedy about a confused young Greek against the background of a confused Greek capital. Yasonas begins his tour of the city trying to show his group of tourists the best of Athens. Soon the group faces him with the fundamental conflict of modern Greek national identity: pride of the glorious past and confusion because of the chaotic present. The architecture of Athens reveals this opposition in the most eloquent way. This is a city identified with the Acropolis, a shining monument of the past, which is surrounded by modern urban Balkan-oriental surroundings. The research of the architectural identity of Athens is carried out in parallel with the study of the individual identity of Yasonas, who experiences his own confusion with the common mixed feelings. The question "what is Athens?” will receive an answer together with the question "who am I?" on the roof of a building overlooking the Acropolis."

Conversely the film “Tungsten” “talks about the violence that surrounds us and how we reproduce it", stated George Georgopoulos. "In fact, its theme is about the susceptibility of the human body to violence. This is a black and white film with urban aesthetics, which consists of three stories that cross paths at different times. The first story is about a conductor (Vangelis Mourikis), who is mired in debt and looking for ways to pay it off, but at the same time he tries to keep his family united. The second story is about a couple (Tassos Nousias - Cora Karvouna), which is on the brink of separation. The third story is about two teenagers (Omiros Poulakis - Promitheas Aliferopoulos), who walk around the city with an old revolver (family relic). All three stories happen within a day with constant power cuts due to strikes. Where the stories of characters are interrupted, they change direction. From victims they become perpetrators and vice versa. Up until the final decision, where all are facing the consequences of their actions. "

Useful information

The movies will be shown at ASTOR Hollywood 3D and "Mikrokozmos” cinemas on November 24. They will be screened one after the other, but there will be the possibility to purchase one ticket at a lower price for those who would like to see both films.

On Wednesday, November 23, a party has been organized to promote the films at Six DOGS, in the heart of Athens,at 6-8 Αvramiotou St., in Monastiraki, where three bands who have given their music as a gift to the films, Gloire Carton, Martha Mavroidi Trio, Berlin Brides, will be playing live.

The concert starts at 10 p.m. and the entrance is free.