DON’T LAUGH, PEOPLE WILL SEE YOU IN THE CINEMA
by Nikolaos Dimitropoulos
A production by Tasos Koronakis and Laika Productions
PREMIERE: 27-28 APRIL
NEWMAN CINEMA
27 and 28/04 Premiere Athens – Newman Cinema (117 Sevastupoleos Street, Athens 11526)
08/05, 11-12-13/05 Heraklion, Crete – Vitzenzos Kornaros (18 Malikouti, Heraklion, 71202)
18/05 and 25/05 Athens – Stella Open-Air Cinema (34 Tenedou Street, Athens 113 61)
29–30/05 Thessaloniki – Cine Vakoura (8 Michail Ioannou, Thessaloniki 546 22)
The film will also be screened in Patras, Larissa, Corinth, and other cities.
Nikolaos Dimitropoulos, a director based in Athens and London, after the widely discussed “Kalavryta 1943” starring Max von Sydow (Youth Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival), returns with a film based for the first time on his own screenplay. “Don’t Laugh, People Will See You in the Cinema” is a bittersweet story that follows Maria, a woman in her early forties, during the first days after she learns that she is pregnant.
Don’t Laugh, People Are Watching is a bittersweet story that follows Maria, a woman in her forties, during the first days after she discovers she is pregnant.
The film premiered at the 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and was also screened at the San Francisco Greek Film Festival.
With sensitivity, immediacy, and disarming humor, the film is anchored by a powerful performance from Maria Apostolakea, around whom the entire story unfolds. Alongside her, the ever-excellent Akillas Karazisis delivers a deeply human and grounded performance, while Manto Giannikou completes the film’s universe, portraying with nuance the story’s other pole: a woman marked by loss, searching for meaning through faith.
The feature explores contemporary and deeply personal themes: freedom of choice, a woman’s right over her own body, motherhood as well as fatherhood, the social pressures surrounding starting a family, unconditional parental love, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Through two diametrically opposed sisters a spontaneous, liberated woman who embraces life, and a restless, devout mother devoted to duty, the film reflects on two different worldviews in modern Greece that are not necessarily in conflict.
A film about the gaze of others and the non-negotiable right to choose.
The film will have its Athens premiere at Newman on April 27 and 28 (19:45 and 22:15), and will continue its run in cinemas in Heraklion (Crete), at the open-air “Stella” cinema in Athens, in Thessaloniki, and in many more cities.
On Monday, April 27, at Newman, a Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the 19:45 screening.
On Tuesday, April 28, following the 19:45 screening, there will be a discussion with Maria Louka (documentary filmmaker, journalist), Efthychia Soufleri (journalist, news247.gr), and Filio Tsoukala (psychologist).
SYNOPSIS
Maria, a 40-year-old woman living on an island, discovers she is pregnant while traveling to Athens for her mother’s memorial service, where she stays with her religious sister, Elena—a woman who has been immersed in grief for years. Elena has a daughter, Aliki, who is deeply attached to her aunt and has a conflicted relationship with her mother.
Confused about whether she should or even wants to keep the child, Maria forms an unexpected connection, confronts her past, and comes to realize that only by reconciling with her choices will she finally be able to laugh, no matter what people say.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
“The film speaks about personal decisions that often carry within them entire social conflicts, and about how difficult it is especially for a woman to make them freely.
At its center is a woman in her forties who realizes that this may be her last chance to have a child. Her decision becomes a reflection of the social pressures, fears, and expectations that surround her.
At the same time, such a moment does not necessarily signify a tragedy. It can simply be a new beginning…”
Nikolas Dimitropoulos
PRODUCTION
The film is an independent Greek production by Tasos Koronakis.
It was supported by the Hellenic Film Centre’s Sub.5 program and is funded by the European Union through NextGenerationEU, as part of the “Greece 2.0” recovery plan.
The film is co-produced by ERT S.A.
“The theatrical release of the film is supported by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (EKKOMED).”
BIOGRAPHIES
NIKOLAS DIMITROPOULOS
Director & Screenwriter
Nikolas Dimitropoulos is a director based in London and Athens. He studied Economics at University College London before pursuing a career in filmmaking.
He has directed three feature films, including Kalavryta 1943, starring Max von Sydow, which received the Youth Award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 2021. He has also directed short films and television series, with his work distinguished by its strong focus on character and a deeply human perspective.
Don’t Laugh, People Are Watching marks his first project as both director and screenwriter, signaling a more personal creative direction.
TASOS KORONAKIS
Producer – Laika Productions
Tasos Koronakis is an Athens-based producer and co-founder of Laika Productions. He has extensive experience in the fields of culture, communication, and media.
Since 2018, he has collaborated with Laika Productions, where he has worked as a production manager on more than 70 documentary episodes for ERT, including the series Ta Stekia and Kleinon Asty.
In 2022, he made his debut as a producer with the short film Tokakis or What’s My Name, which received distinctions at Greek festivals and had its international premiere at the Leiden Film Festival. In 2023, he produced the feature-length documentary AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution, which won the Audience Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and screened at numerous international festivals.
In 2025, he produced his first narrative feature film, Don’t Laugh, People Are Watching. At the same time, he is developing international co-productions and new projects across fiction, documentary, and animation.
LAIKA PRODUCTIONS
Laika Productions was founded in 2018 by director and producer Marina Danezi and producer Tasos Koronakis. The company focuses on documentary and fiction films, both short and feature-length, with a strong interest in socially engaged and human-centered storytelling.
It has produced television series for ERT, including Ta Stekia and Kleinon Asty, both distinguished by their cultural and social perspective.
Its filmography includes, among others, the documentary AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution, which received the Audience Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, as well as Here They Speak About Worship, which was awarded the Silver Alexander and the Audience Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
The company is actively developing international co-productions and projects that move between creative documentary and contemporary European fiction.
ΜΗ ΓΕΛΑΤΕ, ΘΑ ΣΑΣ ΔΕΙ Ο ΚΟΣΜΟΣ
English title: Don’t Laugh, They’ll See You
Year: 2025
Country: Greece
Runtime: 105 minutes
Genre: Drama Comedy
Directed and Written by: Nikolaos Dimitropoulos
Producer: Tasos Koronakis
Co-producers: ERT S.A.
Bounce, Athens Film Sound, A10 Post Production
CAST
Maria: Maria Apostolakea
Michalis: Akillas Karazisis
Elena: Manto Giannikou
Yannis: Prometheus Aliferopoulos
Aliki: Melina Polyzoni
Liza: Maria Kalimani
Jo: Marina Siotou
Priest: Andreas Kontopoulos
Gynecologist: Ioanna Bakalakou
Tasos: Giorgos Barbantenis
Andreas: Charis Karidis
Supermarket Cashier: Gianna Vlachou
Stefanos: Ionas Dimitropoulos
Park Father: Spyros Andreopoulos
Park Girl: Stella Andreopoulou
Children with bitter oranges: Chrysandros, Faidra Koukouzeli
Priest (Cemetery): Nontas Michalopoulos
Woman in Cemetery: Katerina Athanasiadou
Bartender: Dionysis Notarakis
Waiter: Filemon-Alexandros Kalogeras
CREW
Screenplay & Direction: Nikolas Dimitropoulos
Producer: Tasos Koronakis
Production Manager: Marina Danezi
Director of Photography: Giorgos Rachmatoulin – GSC
Production Designer: Ermina Apostolaki
Costume Designers: Tasos Dimas, Sofia Kotsikou, Katerina Chalioti
Editing: Christos Gakis
Executive Producers: Thanasis Fotou & Natalia Vazeiou
Music: Periklis Agyanozoglou & Memos Pilafstsis
Make-up & Hair: Elli Kyriakidou
First Assistant Director: Faidra Tsolina
Second Assistant Director: Giorgos Barbantenis
Script Supervisor: Nina Efstathiadou
First Camera Assistant: Kalliopi Perdika
Second Camera Assistant / DIT: Stelios Mylonas
Third Camera Assistant: Lorena Malapetsa
Gaffer: Damianos Timnios
Electrician Assistant: Dimitris Rammas
Sound Recordist: Vasilis Ipirotis
Boom Operator: Dimitris Karampis
Additional Boom Operator: Giorgos Kanoupakis
Assistant Production Designer: Tatiana Sanchez
Assistant Costume Designers: Menia Anastasopoulou
Intimacy Coordinator: Nikoleta Kontouli
Production Assistants: Nontas Michalopoulos, Vangelis Moustogiannis
Trainee – Props Master: Gabriella Apostolou
Trainee – Production Assistant: Nikitas Pikoulis
Trainee – Camera Crew: Tzo Kantourou
Set Mechanics: Vasilis Charatzoglou
Assistant Set Mechanic: Vasilis Politis
Steadicam Operators: Giorgos Petrakis, Panos Tsigas
Sound Design & Mixing: Mikes – Bounce Audio
Color Correction: Manthos Sardis
VFX: Periklis Agyanozoglou
Still Photographer: Ekati Koukoutsaki
Second unit
Make-up: Chara Vassiliadou
Sound: Marios Namiotakis
Drone: Dimitris Mavroforakis
News voice overs (alphabetical)
Dora Anagnostopoulou
Natasa Giamali
Ilianna Danezi
Makis Divos
Equipment & Services
Camera Equipment: WHITEBALANCE
Lighting Equipment: Dimitris Stambolis
Van Rentals: Moovy Ansa
Catering: Alchemy of Flavour
SPONSORS
With the kind sponsorship of Fischer
With the support of Samba Coffee Roasters, Erre Due, The Mart, Triton Ferries – Avlemon N.E., Frutop, Novapharm, Ohonos Snack
Media Partners: ERT3, 95.8fm, 102fm, Athina9.84, Sto Kokkino 105.5
CONTACT INFORMATION
Laika Productions
info@laikaproductions.gr
www.laikaproductions.gr
