Something More | Maritina Topkaridou

154.997 views • 15 January 2025

☆Log Line
Alexandros never considered he might be gay—until he met Giannis. Together, the two friends embark on a journey of discovering their true feelings for one another.
☆Synopsis
At 25, Alexandros begins to re-evaluate his relationship with 23-year-old Giannis, a friend he met at university and has been inseparable from ever since. For the first time, Alexandros feels truly understood by someone. This year, the two began living together, realizing just how deep their bond has become. However, an unexpected kiss plunges Alexandros into an internal conflict; he struggles to accept his feelings, fearing the homophobic reaction of his family. The story explores the necessity of expressing one's sexuality without the fear of social exclusion or the loss of loved ones. Can someone live a lie just to be accepted by their family? Is it worth suppressing one’s desires simply to keep their daily life unchanged?
☆Project Description: Something More (Kati Perissotero)
Something More is a film that addresses a common struggle within the LGBTQ+ community in Greece. According to a survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 74% of LGBTQ+ individuals are afraid to hold their partner's hand in public, fearing for their physical safety. The human need for free expression is what inspired me to write this script.
The film follows two protagonists: Alexandros, raised in a strict, traditional family, and Giannis, who is more comfortable with his identity. One night, in a moment of spontaneity, Alexandros kisses Giannis. This event triggers intense emotions as Alexandros confronts both his deepest desires and his family’s homophobic mindset.
The film is influenced by the coming-of-age cinema of the 2000s and 2010s. Specifically, the plot focuses on self-discovery during youth, leading to an open-ended, "bittersweet" finale where the protagonist chooses to follow his heart, despite the potential consequences. The goal of the film is to highlight the dilemmas faced by the LGBTQ+ community and to offer a sense of comfort to those who must face these realities in their own lives.
☆Director Maritina Topkaridou
☆Actors Spyros Arzoglou, Katerina Chatzimargariti, Apostolos Nikolaou

Плак-Плак Video Clip | Maritina Topkaridou

90.642 views • 10 May 2026

☆The song speaks about domestic violence and criticizes patriarchy and society's sexist demands. Furthermore, in the original video, the singer kills her abuser, who is portrayed by the duo's music producer.
☆For my own video clip, I chose to show the story of a mother who forces her children to be 'perfect', and in the end, her daughters kill her. I didn't want the narrative to be linear or the story to be obvious. The purpose was for the song to explain it.
☆Direction of Photography/ Video Editing Maritina Topkaridou
☆Actors Theodosia Bompou, Giorgia Greco, Aggeliki Zafeiriou