15th Athens Open Air Film Festival at the SNFCC: A cinematic mystery all-nighter under the full moon!

The 15th Athens Open Air Film Festival has selected the films and is transforming the SNFCC’s Great Lawn into a crime scene, inviting viewers to take on the role of detective.

In this Whodunnit all-nighter, every film holds a mystery story, full of twists, intrigue, and characters with secrets. From classic films Agatha Christie would admire to modern puzzlers full of suspense and humor, viewers are challenged to solve the mystery before the end credits roll! On such a thrilling night, who would even want to close their eyes?

Useful Information
The Shuttle Bus line will run additional routes:
Syntagma – Syggrou Fix – SNFCC
22:00 | 23:00 | 00:00 | 01:30
SNFCC – Syggrou Fix – Syntagma
23:30 | 00:30 | 02:30 | 03:30 | 06:00 | 07:30

It is recommended that visitors bring insect repellent, a mat or blanket for the ground.

DETAILED SCREENING SCHEDULE
Film marathon as part of the Full Moon Sleepover.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
When: Thursday 10 July | 21:30
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center | Free Admission

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the first feature-length installment of the beloved British duo’s adventures, marked the culmination of nearly half a century of consistent and inventive work from the legendary Aardman Studios. Champions of stop-motion - and especially claymation - Aardman raised the technique from humble beginnings into a globally recognized, uniquely British art form. From charming short films to global box office success, the studio helped bring clay animation to maturity, and eventually to Oscar-winning acclaim, thanks in part to their collaboration with DreamWorks.

This film is a delightful romp for audiences of all ages, blending high-spirited action, mystery, slapstick humor, and clever wordplay. At its core lies the tale of a mysterious “were-rabbit” wreaking havoc on the vegetable patches of Tottington Hall under the full moon—a parody-rich story brimming with loving nods to classic monster movies and the iconic horror tradition of Hammer Films. The film’s plasticine characters radiate personality and warmth, crafting a whimsical narrative that also touches tenderly on themes of friendship and companionship.

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, cementing Wallace and Gromit as cultural icons and affirming Aardman’s role as master storytellers in the animated realm. Thodoris Karamanolis

The film will be screened in its Greek-dubbed version.

Directed by: Nick Park, Steve Box | Duration: 85 minutes | Year of Production: 2005

Manhattan Murder Mystery
When: Thursday 10 July | 23:00
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center | Free Admission

At first glance, Manhattan Murder Mystery appears as a lighthearted, carefree mystery set against the familiar metropolitan backdrop characteristic of Woody Allen’s films. Featuring a trio of middle-aged protagonists who seek to escape boredom and momentarily recapture their youth by solving a crime, the film ultimately unfolds as one of Allen’s clearest and most insightful satires on human relationships and the inevitable decay brought by time.

Interestingly, the film’s central mystery was originally written as a full subplot (lasting about an hour) for Husbands and Wives, but Allen chose to omit it from the final cut. Nevertheless, the comedic reunion of Woody Allen with Diane Keaton—his romantic partner in that iconic movie—proves to be both delightful and rewarding, with every shared scene underscoring the powerful chemistry and warm familiarity between the two actors. Allen himself regards Manhattan Murder Mystery as one of his best works, and rightly so. Loukas Katsikas

Directed by: Woody Allen | Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Angelica Huston | Duration: 104 minutes | Year of Production: 1993

Jagged Edge
When: Thursday 10 July | 00:50
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center | Free Admission

Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges) is accused of the brutal murder of his wife and hires a top criminal defense attorney (Glenn Close) to defend him. Soon, they develop a romantic relationship, yet she remains unconvinced of his innocence. When did those thrilling Hollywood erotic/legal/crime thrillers, which left you satisfied and breathlessly entertained after two hours, stop being made? The answer: when Basic Instinct became such a ferocious hit that everyone tried to imitate it, inevitably failing and flooding the market with insignificant knockoffs.

So, what does Jagged Edge share with Basic Instinct? Naturally, Joe Eszterhas—the legendary screenwriter crowned as king of the genre—who revolutionized mainstream cinema for nearly a decade, crafting a style so distinctive it became a masterclass subject in Los Angeles as the quickest path to screenwriting fortune. Of course, as often happens, the pioneer knows something the imitators don’t.

Here, Eszterhas honed his craft in the genre for the first time, Hollywood’s structure served him perfectly (especially Glenn Close, but also Jeff Bridges—you don’t find talents like these every day), and master director Richard Marquand (Return of the Jedi, Eye of the Needle) helms the plot with authority. Fans of the soundtrack will be lucky too, as John Barry delivers a rare electronic score of pure delight. Ilias Dimopoulos

Directed by: Richard Marquand | Starring: Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges, Peter Coyote, Robert Loggia | Duration: 108 minutes | Year of Production: 1985

Presumed Innocent
When: Thursday 10 July | 02:40
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center | Free Admission

Back then, Presumed Innocent represented lightweight commercial cinema; today it stands as a serious film for adult audiences, proving how much cinematic times have changed. In the story of a prosecutor who investigates the murder of a colleague and former lover, only to find himself accused, you will find all the recognizable motifs of the legal thriller that would dominate audience preferences in the following years: the intertwining of personal and procedural intrigue, subtle doses of eroticism, the framing of a star—in this case, a traditionally irate Harrison Ford—with familiar supporting actors and memorable plot twists.

And of course, you will recognize the signature of Alan J. Pakula, a filmmaker who dedicated his career to the search for truth, to the need to find and name Evil. A need that here is satisfied within the realm of fiction, though far from the courtroom benches. This is how a “lightweight commercial film” gains special weight when integrated into the filmography of its creator. Giannis Basileiou

Directed by: Alan J. Pakula | Starring: Harrison Ford, Greta Scacchi, Bonnie Bedelia, Raúl Juliá | Duration: 127 minutes | Year of Production: 1990