‘Griechenland’ Comedy Filmed on Milos Takes Austria by Storm

Photo source: entertainment and art film.

Austrian movie “Griechenland” filmed on several locations on the island of Milos last May, has become a box office hit across Austria making it the most popular Austrian film since 2017.

The comedy, already watched by more than 200,000 Austrians, has grossed over 600,000 euros since its February 2023 release.

‘Perfect tourism ad for Milos’

In a film review for daily Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, culture editor Julia Schafferhofer describes “Griechenland” as a “cheesy self-discovery trip”. However, she adds that the film is as a “light, feel-good comedy paying homage to Greece and its islands that also works as a perfect tourism ad for Milos”.

Photo source: entertainment and art film.

Considering the film’s box office success, Greek travel experts see “Griechenland” as one of the most successful marketing attempts of Milos in the Austrian market, an announcement by tourism consultants MTC Group said.

According to Milos Mayor Manolis Mikelis, the island has been a filming hotspot during the last few years. Fashion brands such as Zara and Louis Vuitton have filmed their campaigns there and a documentary on Venus de Milo recently concluded production.

Griechenland: The film

Starring celebrated Austrian actor and comedian Thomas Stipsits as Johannes, “Griechenland oder der Laufende Huhn” (full title – Greece or Chicken on the Run), finds its protagonist, a hotel heir, trapped between his domineering mother, his enterprising father and his ambitious fiancée.

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His life is turned upside down when a letter arrives from Greece, revealing that he is the product of a brief holiday fling between his mother and another man – something his family had always known.

The letter also contains his biological father’s will. Overwhelmed, Johannes decides to visit his father’s chosen home country and finds himself on Milos to claim the piece of land his father left him, but the local mayor and the rest of his family also want.

Directed by Claudia Jüptner-Jonstorff and Eva Spreitzhofer, the film was shot in various Milos locations like the Adamas port, the marina and various beaches such as Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Plaka and Ammoudaraki.