In this virtual Q&A, Academy Award-winning director Alexander Payne steps up to interview Eva Nathena, director of Greece’s official Oscar submission Murderess (Fonissa). Despite being on opposite sides of the globe—Nathena at home in Athens and Payne, who had just been in Greece, in New York—the two Greek filmmakers and longtime friends share a candid and illuminating discussion about Nathena’s adaptation of Alexandros Papadiamantis’ classic novel.

Set on a remote Greek island at the turn of the 20th century, Murderess is a poignant exploration of maternal dominance, societal oppression, and the complex bonds between women. The film follows Hadoula, a woman suffocating under the weight of patriarchal expectations and familial rejection, as she fights for freedom not only from those around her but from her own internalized fate. With striking visuals and a profound emotional core, the film captures the timeless struggles of identity and liberation. Payne and Nathena’s rapport brings a warmth and depth to the conversation, as they discuss the creative challenges of adapting a literary masterpiece, the cultural and historical contexts of the story, and the film’s universal relevance. They also touch on their shared Greek heritage, offering unique insights into how the country’s history and traditions inform Nathena’s cinematic vision.

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