Actress Angeliki Papoulia Talks ‘Arcadia’ and New York Greek Film Expo

The acclaimed Greek actress will appear at the upcoming New York Greek Film Expo

 

Angeliki Papoulia has appeared on stage, in films and TV. The award-winning actress is coming to New York next month for the New York Greek Film Expo. She’ll appear at a screening for her film, ‘Arcadia’, and participate in an audience Q&A. In anticipation of her upcoming visit, Papoulia spoke about her career, working with Yorgos Lanthimos, and her latest work.

 

Early years

Born and raised in Athens, Papoulia became interested in acting at the age of eight. “I always remember people asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I always answered ‘actor’,” she said. But by the time she was 15, she decided she’d like to be a painter or a dancer. “I used to paint for hours. And I always loved dancing.” With so many interests, she faced the dilemma of choosing a path. Though she continued her interest in dancing and painting, fate intervened when at age 18, she took exams at some drama schools and was accepted. “I still love painting and dancing,” she added.

 

Papoulia studied at the National and Kapodistrian University (Department of Theatre Studies) and at the Empros Theatre Drama School, graduating in 2000. Her love for the stage cemented, and by 2004, she co-founded the Blitz Theatre Group, a theatre collective in which all members are equal throughout conception, writing, direction, and the dramaturgy process. She wrote, co-directed, and acted in all the group’s performances at major festivals and theatres in Greece and Europe. “It was a very helpful experience, because it gave me the opportunity to experiment, to take risks, and learn theatre from every possible position and in every way. Teamwork has always been a very important aspect of my career path.” She was part of the team until 2017.

 

She took on her first film role, as ‘Kiki’ in the 2003 film, Matchbox, directed by Yiannis Economides. She recalled that this brought her more great experience, as she had just graduated from drama school, teaching her much about improvisation as well as the importance of creating strong bonds as a team.

 

On Yorgos Lanthimos

In 2008, Papoulia was cast as ‘The Older Daughter’ in Dogtooth, the Oscar-nominated and Cannes Film Festival-awarded movie directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. She “loved” working with the director, and the experience helped her evolve as an actor. “I’ve learned a million things about clarity, accuracy, artistic vision, and the game of transformation, among others,” she said. The actress continued to work with Lanthimos, starring in both Alps and Lobster. “Each time it was a step up into a new adventure and into a new way of being on film. The combination of humour, violence, instinctive reaction, complexity, and physicality are elements that still inspire me, and I think of while working.”

 

 

‘Arcadia’

Over the years, Papoulia has appeared in countless roles, in film and TV, as well as on the stage. In 2024, she appeared as ‘Katerina’ in the fantasy drama Arcadia, directed by Yorgos Zois. From the moment she read the script, she was immediately drawn to the film.

 

“It is so well-written, with so many details and it deals so well with the fine line that separates two worlds—the one of the living and the one of the dead.” She just had to play Katerina. “She is all of a sudden forced to discover a new world and its rules. Katerina is new to this strange and unknown world and immediately has to deal with it, to learn how it works and try to belong to it.” Papoulia added that Katerina is somehow between her previous life and new life, a new way of existing that is unfamiliar to any human being. The actress was intrigued by the idea of working on this character, “who has the opportunity to discover another dimension of life”.

 

She explained that the film deals with love, loss, and the eternal question of death and the other world. And it evokes many questions, such as, will the two worlds of the living and dead ever collide? Is it possible to communicate across the worlds and get closer? Is it possible to deal with loss and get over it? And if yes, at what cost? Papoulia said this exploration and questioning makes the film a must-see.

 

Variety called it “compelling” and said “Zois is among a promising generation of emerging Greek filmmakers that have stepped out of the long shadow cast by the so-called Weird Wave to nurture their own distinctive, idiosyncratic voices.” The film also garnered several Hellenic Film Academy Awards in 2025, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

 

 

What’s next

Though at present, film is her favorite medium, she still enjoys doing a lot of theatre, because “there is a continuity of time that is never interrupted by performing”. Currently, she is co-directing a theatre performance of the Ancient Greek tragedy, “Hekabe” by Euripides, at the historic Schauspielhaus Zurich Theatre in the heart of Zurich, Switzerland. The production features members of the theatre’s ensemble and is in German. It premieres on December 12.

 

New York Greek Film Expo 2025

Papoulia is thrilled to return to New York for the upcoming Greek Film Expo, presented by Hellenic Film Society (HFS). She’ll appear at the New York premiere of Arcadia on Saturday, October 4 at Village East Theater in Manhattan. Following the screening, she and Director Yorgos Zois will participate in an audience Q&A. The film is in Greek with English subtitles, and is for mature audiences only. Tickets are now available on HFS’ website.

 

“I love the vibe of the city so much. I’ve visited many times and I’m so looking forward to walking in the city and visiting all my favourite places. I’m so thankful to Hellenic Film Society for inviting me. I hope to see you there.”

 

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The annual New York Greek Film Expo, a Greek film festival for all New Yorkers, runs October 2-12 in theaters in the New York metro area. In addition to the latest films from Greece, this year’s program includes meet & greets and Q&As with visiting actors and directors. The program also features a retrospective of films by Pantelis Voulgaris, one of Greece’s most prominent directors.

All films in Greek with English subtitles.

For tickets, schedules, and more info please visit www.hellenicfilmsociety.org

 

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Read more: 

New York Greek Film Expo 2025 Coming up October 2-12

Don’t Miss Opening Night at New York Greek Film Expo 2025

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