For the first time ever, the Athena Cinema will be revealing exclusive SNEAK PEEKS of feature films programmed for the 42nd Athens International Film + Video Festival, which takes place during April 3rd-9th.

For Shirin (Desiree Akhavan), being part of a perfect Persian family isn’t easy. Acceptance eludes her from all sides: her family doesn’t know she’s bisexual, and her ex-girlfriend, Maxine, can’t understand why she doesn’t tell them. Even the six-year-old boys in her moviemaking class are too ADD to focus on her for more than a second. Following a family announcement of her brother’s betrothal to a parentally approved Iranian prize catch, Shirin embarks on a private rebellion involving a series of pansexual escapades, while trying to decipher what went wrong with Maxine.

“Akhavan’s most effective resource as a storyteller is her own face, a sometimes Chaplinesque blend of farce and pathos. She is a big talent to watch.” -Tom Keogh, Seattle Times

“Akhavan’s confidently off-kilter approach to basic human interaction makes for an authentically ironic, adorably wistful, smartly observed ride.” -Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

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90 MIN

For the first time ever, the Athena Cinema will be revealing exclusive SNEAK PEEKS of feature films programmed for the 42nd Athens International Film + Video Festival, which takes place during April 3rd-9th.

Relations between the students and the new teacher of German are extremely tense. When one female student commits suicide, her schoolmates blame the teacher for her death. An awareness that things are not quite so black and white comes too late. Based on true events.

“Bicek capitalizes on the differences in energy among the teens (carefully cast and rehearsed non-pros) and the adults (portrayed by professional thesps), to persuasive effect.” -Alissa Simon, Variety

“A Venice Critics’ Week premiere, the solidly acted Class Enemy has what it takes to worm its way into not only new filmmaker showcases but also general festival slates and possibly a few foreign theaters.” -Boyd van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter

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112 MIN

For the first time ever, the Athena Cinema will be revealing exclusive SNEAK PEEKS of feature films programmed for the 42nd Athens International Film + Video Festival, which takes place during April 3rd-9th.

Margaret (Lisa Haas) is a down-on-her-luck lesbian hooker in training. She meets Jo (Jackie Monahan), a beautiful, self-assured grifter from a wealthy family and an expert on picking up women, even as she considers herself a card-carrying heterosexual. The duo hit the streets where they encounter bargain-hunting housewives, double-dealing conservative women, husky-voiced seductresses, mumbling erotic accessory salesmen and shopaholic swingers. Navigating the bizarre fetishes and sexual needs of their “dates” brings into focus the hilarious and pathetic disparity between the two hookers, as fellow travelers who will share the road together but only for a while.

“Merkins sends up both male-hustler movies (Midnight Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho in particular) and the upscale, conservative daughters of Gomorrah with unerring goofiness.” -Melissa Anderson, Artforum

“This spritely low-budget sex comedy is essentially a parody of Midnight Cowboy, but the humor is cleverly absurd and self-aware.” -Drew Hunt, Chicago Reader

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81 MIN

Follow the lives of Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Vladislav (Flight of the Corcords’ Jemaine Clement) – three flatmates who are just trying to get by and overcome life’s obstacles-like being immortal vampires who must feast on human blood. Hundreds of years old, the vampires are finding that beyond sunlight catastrophes, hitting the main artery, and not being able to get a sense of their wardrobe without a reflection, modern society has them struggling with the mundane like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.

“You’ve got to love a thing to skewer it as thoroughly as Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement do in their delightfully silly vampire mockumentary ‘What We Do in the Shadows.'” -Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post

“There is so much love and understanding of all the genres the film is skewering that ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ transcends its lowbrow inspirations. It’s a real treat.” -Billy Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

“It’s a cheerfully horrific affair, a sanguine comedy that feels more than a bit like a Christopher Guest farce or an elaborate Monty Python sketch, imprinted with the Kiwi comic sensibilities of co-directors Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi.” -Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

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86 MIN

Rating: Unrated

A feisty widowed single mom finds herself burdened with the full-time custody of her rambunctious
15-year-old ADHD son. As they try to make ends meet, Kyla, the peculiar girl across the street, offers her help. Together, they find a new sense of balance, and hope is regained.

“‘Mommy’ is a shockingly honest, nerve-wracking and dazzling piece of cinema. If this doesn’t rattle your soul, you don’t have one.” -Tom Long, Detroit News

“Dolan is only 25, and though he doesn’t have Orson Welles beat, this has to be one of the best films ever written and directed by a 25-year-old.” -Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

“A film of suffocating power and surprising warmth.” -Mary Corliss, TIME Magazine

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139 MIN