Recent photos showing actor Anthimos Ananiadis filming scenes at the Acropolis for his new movie The Greek Job have sparked discussions, questions, and reactions—especially since they surfaced shortly after internationally acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos was denied permission to shoot at the same site. Many have reasonably asked: “Why a ‘no’ for Lanthimos and a ‘yes’ for Ananiadis?”, particularly given that the two are not considered to be on the same level in terms of artistic stature.

According to protothema.gr, the permit for the Acropolis filming was granted by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens for May 19, during the site’s regular visiting hours. Photos from the shoot confirm that visitors were present during filming.

The Ephorate reviewed the script—reportedly inspired by the Greek War of Independence—and found no elements of concern, ultimately granting permission in exchange for a standard fee.

Why Lanthimos Was Rejected

In contrast, Yorgos Lanthimos’ film Bugonia was treated differently. The Ephorate referred his request to the Central Archaeological Council (KAS) due to concerns about the script and technical aspects of filming. KAS ultimately rejected the request, stating that “the scenes proposed for filming at the monumental site are incompatible with the symbolism and values projected by the Acropolis—and especially the Parthenon—as a universal monument of world heritage.”

The Greek Job – International Cast and Music by Mikis Theodorakis

The Greek Job is an ambitious project Anthimos Ananiadis has been developing for years. Initial filming began in 2019 at various locations, from Mount Lycabettus to Mount Athos, with a goal of releasing the film by late 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues caused significant delays. The first teaser was released on Greece’s national holiday in 2021.

Ananiadis directs and stars in the film, joined by his beloved stepfather, the late Kostas Voutsas, in his final film appearance. The cast includes notable actors such as American actor Eric Roberts (brother of Julia Roberts), Greek-Australian Costas Mandylor, Italian-American Rico Simonini, Maria Korinthiou, Michalis Markatis, Iphigenia Makri, and Vaggelis Mourikis.

Notably, part of the film’s score includes music by Mikis Theodorakis. Before his death, Theodorakis approved the use of his composition Dromoi Palioi (“Old Roads”) in a modern arrangement. In 2019, Ananiadis visited the composer at his home and received his blessing for the project.

A Political Mystery Adventure

The Greek Job is a historical mystery-action noir set in contemporary Greece. It portrays the ongoing struggle for freedom and independence by the descendants of the 1821 revolutionaries, who now fight to defend national sovereignty amid a backdrop of perpetual conspiracy. The film aims to show that although tools and strategies may change, the Greek spirit of resistance endures.

The story follows Yiannis Grigoriadis, a fugitive who escapes to Mount Athos after a police raid on the headquarters of the revolutionary group “Phoenix.” For ten years, he devotes himself to God—until a visitor at the monastery reawakens memories of modern Greece’s political and criminal realities.

In 2021, upon releasing the teaser, Ananiadis wrote:

“History is always written by circles of friends and revolutions—those small, daily resurrections we all experience. That’s how the divine adventure of The Greek Job began, through ‘Old Roads’ of Grandpa Mikis and Master Kostas Voutsas. This ‘Society of Friends’ is reborn from the ashes of its generation… a cinematic hidden school that made us one borderless family, while we traced the steps of the oldest story across every corner of this land… This is the teaser for The Greek Job, for all of us—today’s heroes of ’21.”

An International Co-Production

The Greek Job is a co-production between Ananiadis’ AA PRODUCTIONS and Olive Branch Media, led by George Zakk (producer of Fast and Furious, xXx, The Pacifier, Chronicles of Riddick), with international producer Andreas Kontogouris also on board.