I know nothing about the direction the Greek filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis‘s career gradually went in, albeit the critic John Simon was very displeased with it. In the 1950s, however, he wrote and directed some notable examples of that decade’s artistic Euro-cinema, among which was A Matter of Dignity (1958). Mr. C.’s script, original to the screen, is sensible and palatable. Its themes are financial collapse for a family, moral responsibility, and the elusiveness of being in love, of intimate connection. The film owes a lot to actress Ellie Lambeti, who is luminous with versatility and charm, while other performers, e.g. Athena Michaelidou, grippingly make the grade as well. Surprisingly, my most recent viewing of Dignity was on Tubi.

(In Greek with English subtitles)