Extravagant weddings are a common part of Greek culture, and first came to Hollywood’s attention through the success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). Greeks are known for their drama more than most other Europeans, so to have a wedding without it would be implausible. The opening film of this year’s Greek Film Festival shows us that the ceremony itself rarely creates the hassles – it’s often people’s lack of judgement both before and after the main event. Such is the case in Bang-Bang Wedding, where all the guests get lost or sidetracked in one way or another to threaten the death of the reception. Throw in a Greek-Australian playing an American-accented Greek groom and you’ve got yourself a far-fetched yet entertaining comedy.

The island of Crete in Greece’s south isn’t the kind of place where someone is easily lost, but that’s not the case for this party of Athenians who find themselves in unexpected places unable to reach the wedding reception. The ceremony is barely shown as you immediately understand this is a journeying film, but not necessarily one with loaded meanings. Writer Ifigeneia Kotsoni and director Christine Crokos (with her first feature) smartly split the separate groups with mismatched characters: the bride Marina (Faye Xila) and groom Ilias (Aussie Alex Dimitriades) taking a detour to arrive fashionably late, the best mates with the out-of-towner maid of honour who find themselves avoiding the police, the groom’s mother drinking herself to happiness and the extended family making a doctor’s visit of a different kind. Greek humour is quite outlandish, which to some can easily be seen as over-the-top – but it works because the film doesn’t set itself up to be anything other than a riot. Really, it gives the impression it’s the average day in the life of a Greek. It’s handled evenly as each of the groups get equal screen-time, while allowing everyone some melodramatic dialogue lightens up the film during most scenes. And while some of the jokes get lost in translation, it still comes off as a straight-bat comedy. The seriousness is predominantly left to Marina and Ilias, who find their events to be too heavy to handle on their big day. Bang-Bang Wedding carries a good mix of laughter and seriousness though, as most characters often carry tension within the hilarity of their situation. It’s an extravagant way of triggering the ‘oh that’s just typical’ feeling everyone gets when the shit hits the fan.

Before the film reaches its destination the plot seems to lag. All of the groups appear to stall as they reflect on what the day has brought and here it loses a little of the tightness it’s held throughout. But all performances are good for all of the melodrama. Alex Dimitriades shows his bi-lingual versatility to affect; making the few lines he speaks in American English feel unwelcome. Eurovision presenter Betty Maggira as maid-of-honour Nandia is also a standout, not because of her stunning tan or gorgeous outfit, but as the glue that holds her group together learns we see her learn some lessons of her own. Crokos has used the Cretan landscape and weather to lovely effect, the Greek summer making everyone a glowing brown with happy smiles, while rain brings a gloomier attitude. Bang-Bang Wedding is a film that tells us it’s not about the arrival that counts, but how you get there.

Verdict:

For the minimum Greek cinema Australian audiences receive, Bang-Bang Wedding is a good offering. The Aussie tie is a nice touch to this well-rounded, if extravagant, comedy.

Bang-Bang Wedding screened as part of the 16th Greek Film Festival (2009)

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