The biggest liar of Greek cinema and its relationship to politics

April Fools’ Day today and looking back at the election, our minds have gone to an epic Greek movie from 1961 that’s playing. No matter how many times you’ve watched it, you can’t get enough of it.

It is the movie “Liar Wanted” directed and written by Yiannis Dalianidis, based on the play of the same title directed by Dimitris Psathas.

The film deals with client relationships between politicians and their constituents, and satirizes an aspect of Greek political life, starring Pantelis Zervos and Dino Iliopoulos.

the case

The story of the film revolves around Theodoros Parla or Pseudodoros (played by Dinos Iliopoulos) who declares himself a professional liar and comes from his village to Athens to pursue his career.

“The occasional fight on the bus and the punch he delivers to the passenger will pave the way for him to a brilliant career as Member of Parliament Theophilos Verikis (played by Pantelis Zervos)”.

Deputy Frakes’ wife is Jenny Ferkes, played by Anna Kiriakou.

Dinos Iliopoulos’ “work” in the film is based on brazen and blatant lies, in order to justify the politicians’ promises to their constituents.

Does he remind you of anyone?

The death of the husband’s brother

MP Friskies: Good morning, madam.

Psiophoros: Good morning, Mr. Virekes. I have become acquainted with the case of my brother-in-law, who was a publican at Alexandroupoli and wanted you to take him to Athens.

Rep. Frakes: Oh, yeah. This case was taken over by my own. No date set?

Elector: You know, the poor thing died yesterday!

(Enter Pseudothorus, who is unaware of his brother-in-law’s death)

Lying chest: Ah, good morning, madam. Well, the transfer is done. I called your son-in-law, and this morning I also received a reply: “Thank you very much, stop coming to Athens.”

Voter: Is your lightning? After he died!

Pseudothoros: Aaaaah, but suddenly? Shh, what an ugly world!

first acquaintance

Eliopoulos: “May I see Mr. Phrykes now?”
Kyriakou: “Unfortunately, he is absent.”
Eliopoulos: “What do you say, madam? Since the service told you a while ago that he was here.”
Kyriakou: “Anyway, who are you going to believe, my servant or me?”
Eliopoulos: “I may serve you!”
Kyriakou: “Listen, my lord. Didn’t you take much courage?
Eliopoulos: “Madam, I did not come here to collect lies. I came to sell.”

Kyriakou: “But I told you, sir, that my husband is absent.”
Eliopoulos: Say, madam, but do not insist. What the hell are you going to do to me? After all, we also have professional honors.”

Eliopoulos: “I have a letter of recommendation for the special position of Mr. Verikis”
Kyriakou: “Oh, for a private show, huh? And what qualifications do you have?”
Eliopoulos: “Allow me to introduce myself. Theodoros Parlas, better known as Pseutotheodoros”
Kyriakou: “Nah. And you’re bragging, I see!
Eliopoulos: “But am I not a braggart? I, madam, am not an indiscriminate liar like many honest and respectable citizens. I am a talented liar.”

“perjurer!”

Kyriakou: “So you’re bragging about being a liar?”
Eliopoulos: “Yes, why do you wonder?”
Kyriakou: “And you’re telling me all this to gain my trust?”
Eliopoulos: “Why not? I am a very honest liar. In fact the most honest thing you can find.”
Kyriakou: “What profession have you been in so far?”
Eliopoulos: “False witness!”
Kyriakou: “Nah, and no judge caught you?”
Eliopoulos: “What do you say, madam, behold, I am afraid of judges and lawyers!”
Kyriakou: “Did you make a living in this profession?”
Eliopoulos: “No, no, I was a journalist”
Kyriakou: In which newspaper did you write your lies?
Eliopoulos: “On ‘Truth'”

Kyriakou: “And since you were doing so well in your homeland, why did you come to Athens?”
Eliopoulos: “My friends have eaten me up. Go to Athens, where lies are more common on your way.”
Kyriakou: “So you came to Athens”
Eliopoulos: “Yes, indeed. I went straight to a citizen who arrived but he doesn’t need me.”
Kyriakou: “Why?”
Eliopoulos: “He’s a lawyer, he’s more of a liar than me!”

Kyriakou: “I’m sorry, Monsieur Theodore, but personally I don’t like lies.”
Eliopoulos: “What do you say, madam? Women hate lies, is that possible? Women are born liars! So, madam, lying is a talent, it is a gift from God, so can you hate it? Proof that the world’s greatest writers are great liars.”

Visit the palaces

Eliopoulos: “No, sir. Mr. Phrykes is not here. He has gone up to the palaces! When he returns he will receive you.”
Secretary: “Who was it?”
Eliopoulos: “One. It does not matter. I, with the insufficiency of which I told him, amazed him.”

source: news