Hold Onto Me

Bathed in the warm colours of the Mediterranean, this coming-of-age film follows 11-year-old Iris as she cautiously reconnects with her wayward father.

Director
Myrsini Aristidou
Starring
Hristos Passalis, Maria Petrova, Jenny Sallo
Country
Cyprus, France, Denmark, United States, Greece
Languages
Greek
Subtitles
English
Age limit
K12
Duration
102 min
Keywords
Journey, Family ties, Childhood

In this rogue film from Cyprus, 11-year-old Iris spends carefree summer days with her friend Danae. Her summer vacation takes a significant turn when her grandfather dies. At the same time, she learns that her father Aris, who had gone off on his own, has returned to town for the funeral. The curious Iris is determined to get to know this mysterious and distant figure, but it doesn’t happen in quite the usual way. The viewer may also notice that the apple hasn’t necessarily fallen far from the tree. Her father has kept to himself, and perhaps for good reason. However, their fragile relationship grows stronger over time, and in moments of truth, the durability of the bond between parent and child is also proven.

Myrsini Aristidou’s directorial debut is a universal story set against the sunny and warm colour palette of the Mediterranean. Aristidou has depicted the old dockyard, serving as the central setting, in a metaphorical way. Like the characters, it is forgotten and stuck between two eras. Father and daughter are unable to escape the past yet simultaneously have no idea how to continue their journey towards the future. Time, however, marches on, bringing something new: even at the filming location, the dockyard has now been replaced by luxury real estate.

Omar Fasolah (translated by Moritz Müller)

Screenings

  • Kinopalatsi 5
    Fri 18.9. at 18.00–19.42
    102 min, 1/3
  • Kinopalatsi 7
    Sat 26.9. at 20.45–22.27
    102 min, 2/3
  • Kino Töölö
    Sun 27.9. at 20.45–22.27
    102 min, 3/3
Year
2026
Original name
Κράτα Με
Distributor
Cercamon
Links

Trailer