The film which was filmed entirely in Greece marks the highly anticipated directorial debut of acclaimed screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
The Hellenic Film Commission is proud to share the news as Hot Milk is a project that we have supported from the very beginning, providing funding through the location scouting support of the HFC and, later on, through the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center-Greative Greece’s cash rebate. We have also facilitated the shootings of the film in the region of Attica.
Hot Milk, based on Deborah Levy’s novel with the same name, is directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, whose credits include the Oscar-winning Ida by Pawel Pawlikowski, the Keira Knightley-led biopic Colette, and the MeToo drama She Said. The story follows a mother and daughter who travel to the Spanish seaside town of Almeria to consult a healer regarding the mother’s mysterious illness – only for the daughter to meet a free-spirited traveler. The film was entirely shot in Greece and more specifically in the region of Attica that served as a double for Almeria in Spain. The locations were Lavrio, Marathonas, Nea Makri, Piraeus, Central Athens and the shooting took place in July 2023.The film is produced by Christine Langan for Bonnie Productions, Kate Glover from Never Sleep Films and Giorgos Karnavas of Heretic, with Danae Spathara serving as the Line Producer. More than 45 local professionals were involved in the productions as crew for the Assistant Director, Make up, Costume, Art, and Stunt departments to the Camera, Sound and Electrical department.
The main cast of the film includes Emma Mackey (Emily, Sex Education), Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Corsage) and Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter movies, Killing Eve) as well as several Greek actors in supporting roles.
Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Screenwriter and Director stated to Hellenic Film Commission
I could not imagine filming Hot Milk anywhere else but in Greece. It became absolutely intrinsic to the fabric of the film with its incredible sea, the clear waters and the fantastic shapes along the shore. The landscape was what I expected in that it was epic and beautiful. But the various locations and contrasts of urban and countryside was wonderfully surprising with endless possibilities. Heretic are incredible producers, dynamic, knowledgeable and fantastic in every sense from the first chapter in scouting locations to every aspect of the shoot itself. Giorgos Karnavas was absolutely key in helping to get the film made and was brilliant from day one. We felt very held and inspired by the whole team. The crew were incredible and worked with forensic detail and amazing energy. The shoot near Athens was incredible from day one to the wrap. Greece is the most incredible place to film in the world, in my book. As a sidebar I have never eaten so well or swam so well or had such good company around an outside table in a working lunchtime.
Christine Langan, Producer stated to Hellenic Film Commission
For the shooting of Hot Milk we explored many territories and production companies before settling on Heretic in Greece and we absolutely made the best possible choice. We could not have made it without the help and support of Giorgos Karnavas and his wonderful team at Heretic. Giorgos leads a brilliant and experienced team of professionals, by whom he is clearly respected and loved. He was a constant calm, knowledgeable and resourceful presence during both preproduction and the shoot and that ethos was shared by the whole team.
It was easy to bond with the Greek crew, most of whom spoke excellent English. The commitment and creative passion was striking. The conscientious work ethic was impressive too. Our location manager, Aris Maleas, went above and beyond in showing us places that fitted the script and Rebecca’s vision, as well working well for our cinematographer. No stone was left unturned in pursuing options that were original and inventive. With the backing of the Hellenic Film Commission, we scouted several times and were able to construct a unique jigsaw puzzle of locations that gave the film its very special character. The range of possibilities in the region from natural features – caves, desert, stunning beaches and mountains – to varied architectural styles, worked brilliantly for ‘Hot Milk’.
With truly independent feature films harder than ever to finance, the benefits of Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center Creative Greece were immense to ‘Hot Milk’. Giorgos steered us perfectly through the process, allowing us to focus on prep and filming. The other aspects of financing were sometimes complex so it was always very reassuring to know that Giorgos and his team were efficiently managing the Greek rebate of the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center Creative Greece, a vital part of the finance plan.
Filming in Greece and with Heretic is a unique and very special experience and one that lives on indelibly in every frame of our film, ‘Hot Milk’.