Highest rated as cast or director
Irene Papas's 6 titles from the 1960s have a median Balasaur Score of 72, led by Z (84) and Zorba the Greek (77), against 67 for those from the 1970s.
Biography
Irene Papas or Pappas (Greek: Ειρήνη Παππά, romanized: Eiríni Pappá, born Eirini Lelekou [Ειρήνη Λελέκου]; 3 September 1929 – 14 September 2022) was a distinguished Greek actress and singer whose international career spanned more than five decades and encompassed over 70 films. She gained worldwide recognition for her passionate, statuesque performances and her classical Greek beauty, becoming one of the most iconic figures in Greek and international cinema. Born in Chiliomodi, Corinthia, she studied at the National Theatre Drama School. She began her career in theatre and film in the late 1940s. She achieved international acclaim through her collaboration with director Michael Cacoyannis, starring in film adaptations of ancient tragedies such as "Electra" (1962), "Iphigenia" (1977), and "The Trojan Women" (1971)—the latter alongside Katharine Hepburn and Vanessa Redgrave. At the same time, she appeared in major international productions such as "The Guns of Navarone" (1961)—alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn—Michael Cacoyannis’s "Zorba the Greek" (1964), Costa-Gavras’s political thriller "Z" (1969), and the epic production "The Message" (1976). Beyond acting, she also distinguished herself in music, collaborating with renowned artists such as Vangelis Papathanassiou (on the album "Odes") and Mikis Theodorakis. Irene Papas received numerous awards at international festivals, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2009. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 93, leaving behind an invaluable cultural legacy.
Acted in 78
2020s
- 2021
1821 at the Cinema
(archive footage)
Morceaux de Cannes
Movie
2000s
- 2003
A Talking Picture
Helena
- 2001
...and the train leaves for the sky
Elena Michailovna
1990s
- 1999
Yerma
Vieja pagana
- 1998
Inquietude
Mother
- 1997
- 1996
Party
Irene
- 1994
Jacob
Rebekka
- 1993
Lettera da Parigi
Gina
- 1992
Up, Down and Sideways
Μαρία
- 1991
Enopios Enopio
Guest · 1 episode
1980s
- 1989
Island
Marquise
Oceano
Aurelia Perdomo · 6 episodes
Plato's Banquet
Diotime
- 1988
La Valise en carton
Maria Amélia, la mère de Linda · 6 episodes
- 1987
Ein Kind mit Namen Jesus
Old Maria · 4 episodes
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Madre de Angela
Sweet Country
Mrs. Araya
A Child Called Jesus
Old Maria
- 1985
- 1984
Afghanistan For What?
Movie
- 1983
Erendira
Grandmother Amadis
- 1982
The Balad of Mamelouk
Mamluk's Mother
- 1981
L'assistente sociale tutto pepe...
La Signora
1970s
- 1979
Ring of Darkness
Raffaella
Bloodline
Simonetta Palazzi
Christ Stopped at Eboli
Giulia Venere
- 1977
Iphigenia
Klytaimnistra
Blood Wedding
La mère
- 1976
Moses the Lawgiver
Zippora
- 1974
- 1973
1931: Once Upon a Time in New York
Donna Mimma
- 1972
N.P. - The Secret
Casalinga
The Murder of Julius Caesar
Calpurnia
- 1971
Roma bene
Elena Teopoulos
Oasis of Fear
Barbara Slater
1960s
- 1969
The Odyssey
Penelope
84Z
Hélène
Behold Man - The Survivors
Anna
Le avventure di Ulisse
Penelope
- 1968
The Brotherhood
Ida Ginetta
- 1967
The Desperate Ones
Ajmi
Witness Out of Hell
Lea Weiss
- 1966
Trap for the Assassin
Julia de Noirville
The Steps
Joana
- 1964
- 1962
- 1961
Antigone
Antigone
1950s
- 1959
Bouboulina
Laskarina Bouboulina
Pssst ... girls!
Eleni
The Lake of Sighs
Frosyni
- 1956
Tribute to a Bad Man
Jocasta Constantine
- 1954
The Missing Scientists
Gina
Theodora, Slave Empress
Faidia
- 1953
Vortice
Clara
The Man From Cairo
Yvonne Lebeau
- 1951
1940s
- 1948
Fallen Angels
Liana
Appearances6
2000s
- 2008
Il falso bugiardo
Self (archive footage)
1950s
- 1955
- 1954
Reflets de Cannes
Self · 1 episode
