In his astounding debut film Voulgaris established the subtlety of tone with which he would uncompromisingly dissect Greek society. A bourgeois family is gathered for a sunny garden party to celebrate the betrothal of Anna, the maid. But "engagement" is too kind a translation: they have arranged Anna's marriage for her, and only now introduce her to her bridegroom-to-be. As the day and evening wear on, the family gradually realize that they cannot, after all, do without this servant girl-just after Anna delights in her first taste of happiness, listening to taverna music with her new beau. The sort of dazed indignity of Anna's position-typical of young girls from poor families who are routinely indentured to bourgeois households-is recreated in the film's unhurried pacing, where urgency lies deeply buried. "Voulgaris's film is a triumph of intelligence and compassion" (Peter Pappas, Jump Cut).