The 2004 film Brides (Νύφες) focuses on the plight of 700 mail-order brides from Asia Minor, Greece, Russia and Armenia. It follows the path of Niki Douka played by Russian born Greek Victoria Haralabidou who is compelled to leave Samothrace to marry a Greek tailor from Chicago, a marriage that her father has arranged. The film is set in the 1920's during the Greco-Turkish War and is a stark reminder of the perils of war.
On board the S.S Alexandros, Niki meets Norman Harris (Damian Lewis). Harris has been roaming Asia Minor for several years as an American photographer but American newspapers continually reject his works so he has to return home. Harris is traveling first class while Niki is in third. Although she must honor her father's wish to marry the man who awaits her in America, things are complicated as Harris falls in love with Niki.
Brides is largely a romance and is very well written and directed. The performances of the two leading actors is very impressive. A supporting role by Steven Berkoff who plays a sleazy immigration agent also adds to the film. Despite its slightly long running time (over 2 hours) the film is worthy of its awards and is highly recommended for those who were in some way affected by the events of Asia Minor in the early 1920's.
Director: Pantelis Voulgaris
Writer: Ioanna Karystiani
Executive Producer: Martin Scorcese
Stars: Damian Lewis, Victoria Haralabidou, Andréa Ferréol
Language: Greek and English