Nostalgia Kinky

An intense and uncompromising masterwork from Greek filmmaker Mihalis Kakogiannis, Iphigenia (1977) is a brutal take on the classic myth and Euripides play. Starring the brilliant trio of Irene Papas, Kostas Kazakos, and twelve-year-old Tatiana Papamoschou, Iphigenia is a haunting and heartbreaking work. Recently released by Radiance as a special limited-edition Blu-ray Iphigenia is a very special film that I found totally riveting.

Opening with the menacing rumble of legendary Míkis Theodorakis’s score, Iphigenia immediately announces itself as something unique in its sprawling opening moments featuring a cast of thousands. Kakogiannis’s disturbingly dreamy opening threatens to derail the whole film as it gives the remaining near two hours a lot to live up to. Remarkably, Kakogiannis keeps the poetic intensity turned up to 11, never letting up, never offering any hint of compromise in this tale of a King being forced to sacrifice his beloved daughter.

Kakogiannis and Papas began working together in the early sixties. This professional intimacy shows in Papas brilliant performance as Iphigenia’s mother, nearly unhinged in its portrayal of dread and grief. Just as good, if not as well known, Kostas Kazakos is brilliant as the devastated king. For young Tatiana Papamoschou, Iphigenia marked her debut in front of the camera. She gives a dignified performance dripping with every ounce of the unfolding tragedy.

With its dirt and sweat covered cast, the nearly completely exterior shot Iphigenia is the opposite of Hollywood’s cleaned-up epics. This is gritty AF, without an ounce of compromise. Kakogiannis captures this nasty period with frightening realism. He’s so successful that I had a hard time imagining a film crew, lighting equipment, and cameras anywhere.

While Iphigenia is a remarkably cohesive film, completely driven by its narrative, it is also a film of moments. Kakogiannis loads the film with one evocative image after another. Horses bathing in the ocean. Iphigenia’s young brother begging for her life without any comprehension of death. A strange mist enveloping Iphigenia. So many jaw-dropping moments, all servicing the most tragic of stories.

It took Kakogiannis more than a decade to follow-up this major work. With Iphigenia, he managed to not only continue his trend of widely acclaimed classical-based works. He also made a sharp political statement regarding recent events in Greece that shook him. After all, the film that preceded Iphigenia was a documentary about the Cypriot civil war. Iphigenia opened Cannes ’77 and was nominated for the Palme d’Or. It lost to a Taviani brothers film. It was also nominated for an Oscar but lost to Madame Rosa. Regardless the film did very well, receiving wide international distribution, including here in the States.

Radiance offers up a new restored HD digital-transfer. The surviving elements aren’t in the best of shape, so some filmic damage is seen throughout. Radiance does its usual immaculate job ensuring the most cinematic of viewing experiences, and this Blu-ray is no different. Extras include a thirty-minute interview with Greek film expert Dimitris Papanikolaou. It’s a pleasure seeing this guy again, as he really knows his stuff and communicates it well. We are also treated to two vintage clips of Iphigenia at Cannes featuring cast and director interviews. A booklet, OBI Strip and reversible sleeve are all on-hand also, with this important release.

Iphigenia is a powerful art-film and an eerie epic.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

-Jeremy Richey, April, 2026-

Iphigenia can be ordered from Radiance or here in the States from MVD. Enjoy this large gallery of vintage clippings I discovered related to this incredible film.