A Palme d’Or at Zappeion! Opening Night of the 15th Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI with Francis Ford Coppola’s "The Conversation"
The 15th Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI kicks off in grand style on Monday, June 16, in the emblematic courtyard of Zappeion Megaron, with a celebratory screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s "The Conversation" in a digitally restored copy to mark the film’s 50th anniversary. Free admission.
Athens’ favorite summer film event begins its 2025 edition with a screening worthy of the occasion: "THE CONVERSATION" (1974), winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and one of the defining masterpieces of 1970s American cinema. This restored version honors its half-century legacy while inviting a new audience to experience its haunting relevance.
This year’s opening night is also dedicated to Gene Hackman, who recently passed away. His role as Harry Caul in The Conversation is widely regarded as one of his finest performances and a deeply human portrayal of isolation, paranoia, and moral struggle—etched into cinema history.
With one of his most refined and acclaimed works, Francis Ford Coppola sets the tone for a summer of open-air screenings in Athens, beginning with a whisper that echoes louder than ever. Choosing "The Conversation" to open the festival feels both poignant and prophetic, as the film’s themes of personal responsibility, surveillance, and ethical dilemmas remain chillingly relevant in our present day.
🎬 THE CONVERSATION (1974)
📽️ Director/Writer: Francis Ford Coppola
🎭 Cast: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Harrison Ford
⏱️ Duration: 113 minutes
This inaugural screening perfectly captures the mission of the Athens Open Air Film Festival: to reintroduce global cinema gems in breathtaking urban settings, allowing audiences to see (and re-see) them in exquisite audiovisual conditions. Through the unique atmosphere of outdoor screenings, the festival connects iconic corners of the city with locals and visitors alike—proving that great cinema still resonates with our most private fears and unspoken thoughts, even decades later.
DEI returns for a second year as a proud partner of the festival, supporting cultural creation and helping turn Athens' summer nights into moments of art, imagination, and light.
Organized by the Athens International Film Festival and the Organization of Culture, Sports, and Youth of the City of Athens (OPANDA), the Athens Open Air Film Festival remains the city’s most beloved summer film tradition - radiant and full of energy!
🔗 For updates, announcements, and full festival information, follow:
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📅 EVENT DETAILS
When: Monday, June 16, 2025
Where: Courtyard of the Zappeion Megaron, Athens
🕗 Doors open: 20:30
🎥 Screening starts: 21:30
🎟️ Admission: Free
