Athina Rachel Tsangari is a Greek filmmaker, producer, and artist. Born in Athens, Greece in 1966, she is an influential figure in the Greek New Wave, a movement of independent Greek filmmakers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She graduated from the National Technical University of Athens with a degree in architecture before studying filmmaking in the United States.
Tsangari's debut feature, Attenberg, was released in 2010 and won numerous awards at film festivals around the world. The film follows Marina, a young woman living in an industrial town near Athens, as she struggles to come to terms with her father's death. The film was praised for its unique visual style and its examination of modern Greek society.
Tsangari followed up Attenberg with her 2013 film Chevalier. The black comedy follows six men on a fishing trip who compete in a series of increasingly absurd challenges in order to determine who is the "best man." The film was another international success, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and receiving numerous awards.
In addition to her feature films, Tsangari has directed several short films and documentaries, including The Stopover and Before the Summer Rain. She also produces films for other directors, including Yorgos Lanthimos' Dogtooth and The Lobster.
In addition to her filmmaking career, Tsangari is an active member of the Greek art world. She has exhibited her work at various museums and art galleries, including the Serpentine Galleries in London and the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens. She also serves on the board of the Greek Film Centre and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Tsangari's work has been praised for its blend of deadpan humor and thoughtful observations on modern Greek society. Her films have been compared to those of the French New Wave, and her work continues to challenge the conventions of the Greek film industry.
