AllMovie

Greek filmmaker Nikos Koundouras directed this interesting allegory centered on the overthrow of the Ottoman occupation of Crete in 1897 and its impending reunification with the Greek mainland. Marina Vlady stars as a hooker from Marseilles named Rosa Bonaparte who brings 12 young prostitutes to Chania with her and starts a bordello in an old mansion. The bordello becomes something of a hub of international activity, where spies mingle with revolutionaries, businessmen, and soldiers to plot, drink, and discuss the current political climate. Rosa's girls, meanwhile, just go about their business, entertaining the men and trying to remain detached from the swirling turmoil of the outside world. Eleonora Stahtopoulou co-stars with Vassilis Lagos and Aris Retsos.