Greek Salad is an ongoing Greek cinema strand at The Garden Cinema in central London. Each screening explores a gem of Greek cinema – tossing together classics, festival favourites, and directors’ spotlights alike.
October brings John The Violent (1973), Tonia Marketaki’s masterful debut, that is only now finding its rightful place in world cinema. This labyrinthine portrait of a self-confessed murderer – shaped by toxic masculinity – is both formally and conceptually innovative.
Instead of focusing on the crime, Marketaki creates a strikingly prophetic study of how media narratives actively shape and distort reality.
It’s midnight on a deserted street in Athens. A young woman is stabbed to death by a stranger, who instantly slips into the shadows. Upon his arrest, alleged perpetrator John Zachos immediately confesses to the murder but during the trial it becomes apparent that his testimony is an impression of what he has read in the press and is full of inconsistencies. The search for the truth is interrupted and the battle between society and individual rages on.
John the Violent screening on Thursday 22 October will be introduced by film lecturer Tonia Kazakopoulou.
November event at the Hellenic Centre
Greece’s Gender Divide: Femicide Through the Lens: On Thursday 19 November 2026, a panel discussion will take place at The Hellenic Centre featuring Betty Iliadou, Tonia Kazakopoulou and Dr Afroditi Koulaxi.
Grounded on Stella’s and John the Violent‘s screenings, it will explore how media and film coverage of femicide can distract from political and legislative failures.
Hosted by strand curator, Erifili Missiou.
The screenings in the film strand are held under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in London.