The glitzy facade of summer vacations often conceals a less glamorous reality, one that rarely makes its way to social media feeds. Greek writer-director Sofia Exarchou delves into this underbelly in her second feature, ‘Animal,’ a captivating exploration of the lives of hotel workers who toil behind the scenes to create the illusion of a perfect holiday. Premiering at the Locarno Film Festival, Exarchou’s film offers a thought-provoking perspective on the animateurs, the entertainers responsible for ensuring guests’ enjoyment day and night at an all-inclusive resort.
The film centers on Kalia, portrayed with excellence by Dimitra Vlagopoulou, a dancer who choreographs routines and mentors newcomers at the Greek resort. During the day, Kalia and her fellow animateurs engage in bingo games, singalongs, and flamboyant dance performances. Yet, behind the smiles they offer to guests, a sense of existential crisis begins to engulf Kalia, ultimately exposing the fragility of the paradise they’ve crafted for themselves.
Kalia’s life is interwoven with her relationships, particularly with Simos (Ahilleas Hariskos), a charismatic master of ceremonies who shares a complex bond with her. When Eva (Flomaria Papadaki), a new recruit, enters the scene, the dynamics shift. Eva’s journey from Poland and her introduction to this alternate world of dance and escape add depth to the narrative.
Exarchou employs a subtle approach, prioritizing character detail and authenticity over dramatic theatrics. Through the lens of cinematographer Monica Lenczewska, the film captures every facet of the resort, from its glamorous performances to its gritty underbelly. The choice to mix fiction with documentary techniques echoes Exarchou’s previous work, ‘Park’ (2016), which explored characters in the context of the Athens Olympic Complex.
‘Animal’ echoes the sentiment of indie hit ‘Aftersun,’ underlining the hidden costs of all-inclusive vacations. Exarchou unveils the toll it takes on the lives of the entertainers who perpetuate the illusion, with Kalia serving as the embodiment of this sacrifice. As her performances lose their luster through repetition, Kalia is trapped in a cycle of stagnation, emblematic of the transient satisfaction these staged performances provide.
Dimitra Vlagopoulou’s portrayal of Kalia is mesmerizing as she oscillates between on-stage ebullience and off-stage disillusionment. The film draws a parallel between the repetitive songs performed by the troupe and Kalia’s own life, both trapped in a loop that either demands breaking or succumbing.
‘Animal’ is not a film of grand gestures; rather, it’s a poignant observation of lives suspended between fulfillment and futility. Sofia Exarchou crafts a darkly intriguing narrative that shatters the idealistic facade of holiday resorts, leaving audiences with a haunting reflection on the cost of perpetuating illusions.