This Greek silent film, directed by Orestis Laskos, is based on Longus’ ancient tale Daphnis et Chloé. Laskos stays remarkably faithful to the original story, recreating landscapes and period costumes with striking accuracy. Scenes featuring the bandit attack and the Mithymnians were left out—purely for budgetary reasons. Dafnis kai Hloi is considered the first European film to include genuine nudity. While some critics labelled it pornographic, the intimate scenes serve a narrative purpose, not a provocative one.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman portray lovers torn apart by war in occupied Paris. He flees to Casablanca and opens a nightclub. One day, she unexpectedly walks in... with her husband. Casablanca is a timeless tale of impossible love and the heartbreak it brings, set against a backdrop of war, idealism, and moral ambiguity - all to the melancholic strains of As Time Goes By on piano.
Jeanne Moreau plays Jeanne Tournier, a beautiful woman trapped in a loveless marriage with a wealthy publisher. Everything changes when she suddenly falls for polo player Raoul Flores. What begins as a platonic connection unfolds into a tale that simmers with desire. Les Amants, based on the novella Point de lendemain by Vivant Denon, echoes Daphnis et Chloé in its portrayal of innocent love and sexual awakening in an idyllic setting.
available on Archive.org
available on Prime Video
available on dvd
Set in 1957 Manhattan, two street gangs clash—but love blossoms between Maria, a Puerto Rican girl, and Tony, a boy from the rival side. West Side Story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, reimagined as a musical with unforgettable songs by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. The film was a sensation, winning ten Oscars in 1962, including Best Picture and Best Score.
available on Prime Video
Pixar’s Up shows us what true love looks like. In the heartwarming prologue Married Life, we journey through the shared life of childhood sweethearts Carl and Ellie. Michael Giacchino’s cheerful melody gently evolves, capturing the deepening emotions over time. Up becomes an emotional adventure story about love, loss, and letting go—perfect for all ages.
available on Disney+
In sun-drenched Northern Italy, love quietly blossoms between two young men. Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name captures passion not through grand gestures but in small, tender moments and glances. Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver restrained yet powerful performances that bring a deeply personal and universally resonant love story to life. A poignant reminder of how love, even fleeting, can shape us forever.
When the visionary choreographer Sergei Diaghilev asked him in 1909 to create a new work for Les Ballets Russes, the young Maurice Ravel chose to present an intense Greek love story with Daphnis et Chloé. Ravel’s approach—emphasizing color and atmosphere—initially met with misunderstanding and resistance. Yet even Stravinsky declared, “It is not only Ravel’s finest work but also one of the most beautiful masterpieces of French music.”
Alexandra Dariescu – pianist and changemaker – shares her favourite tracks: from Clara Schumann to Björk
During this musical lecture, the passionate pianist and storyteller Florestan Bataillie guides you through the enchanting world of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé. With fervor, he unravels the masterpiece and reveals how Ravel, inspired by ancient Greek love tales, created a unique musical universe where every note comes alive. Whether you’re already an aficionado or simply curious, everyone is welcome, and no prior knowledge is required!
