Lotus UK has two press tickets for the premiere of the glamorous new thriller The Two Faces of January on Tuesday 13 May at the Curzon Mayfair. The film is set in the 60s and filmed on locations in Athens, Chania and the archeological site Knossos on the island of Crete. The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaacs and is based on a novel by best-selling thriller author Patricia Highsmith who also wrote 'The Talented Mr. Ripley.'

Synopsis: The year is 1962 and an American couple, the charismatic Chester Macfarland (Viggo Mortensen) and his alluring younger wife Colette (Kirsten Dunst), are in Athens during a European vacation. While sightseeing at the Acropolis they encounter Rydal (Oscar Isaac), a young, Greek-speaking American who is working as a tour guide, scamming female tourists on the side. Drawn to Colette's beauty and impressed by Chester's wealth and sophistication, Rydal gladly accepts their invitation to dinner, but all is not as it seems and when Rydal visits the couple at their exclusive hotel and events take a more sinister turn. A trailer can be seen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDFsR7w0dT0  

The Two faces of January is the first movie to be filmed at the Acropolis since mid 1990s as the Greek authorities have previously not allowed filming there. Director, Hossein Amini has written about his passion of Greek mythology and archeology and about how and why he started dreaming about filming the Greek set thriller in a fascinating blog http://blog.visitgreece.gr/the-director-of-the-two-faces-of-january-opens-his-heart-on-greece-as-a-film-location/.

Visit sophisticated Athens and stay in one of the most glamorous and luxurious hotels in Athens, the King George Hotel. Featuring a neoclassical façade, the hotel welcomed its first guests in 1936 and occupies a prime location in the historic Syntagma Square, the centre of Athens' golden quarter. King George is situated between the Parliament and the fashionable Voukourestiou Street, within walking distance from the Acropolis, the Old City of Plaka and other notable sights in Athens. The hotel's luxurious 78 rooms and 24 suites offer impressive views of the city and the Acropolis.

Kirker holidays offers three nights at the King George Hotel with breakfast, return flights, private car transfers and entrance to the New Acropolis Museum and a Kirker Guide Note to restaurants and sightseeing, from £1127 per person (low season), £1299 (mid season), and £1389 (high season). 

Stay in Crete 

As the film was partly shot in Chania, Sunvil suggests the Doma Hotel in Chania Town, overlooking the sea a 10 minute walk from the harbour. It is a boutique hotel full of Cretan character. Price range for 7 nts is £733 (May) - £938 (Aug) per person based on sharing double on a bed and breakfast basis, including flights from LGW and transfers.

 http://www.sunvil.co.uk/holidays/greece/crete/north-west-crete/accommodation?open=doma-hotel

Alternatively for more of a family beach package they have the small resort of Kalives - 30 mins drive to the east of Chania, stay in the Afrodite Apts which are a 3 minute walk from the beach and have a pool. 

Studio (for two people) £587 per person - £684 per person

One bed room apparment (for four people) £559 per person - £671 per person

 http://www.sunvil.co.uk/holidays/greece/crete/north-west-crete/accommodation?open=afrodite-apartments

Top tips on the best way to visit the Acropolis  

·       Start in early morning and enjoy the walk up the Acropolis rock, through Plaka and  Anafiotika (typical Cycladic architecture houses)

·       Marvel at the Parthenon and feel the greatness of the ancient temple dedicated to goddess Athena.

·       Explore the Old Temple of Athena, the Erechtheum, the Statue of Athena Promachos and the Propylaea.

·       Visit the New Acropolis Museum and learn more about the Acropolis findings.

·       Enjoy your coffee or light lunch at the Museum's terrace, gazing at the Parthenon.

·       Stroll down Dionisiou Areopagitou (a big pedestrian walk that links some of the most important archaeological sites – The New Acropolis Museum is on Dionisiou Aeropagitou) towards Thision and Monastiraki.

·        Visit Monastiraki Flea Market and have an ouzo with mezze at the local eateries.

Some other tips on visiting Athens 

·       Walk through Plaka, which is an old neighbourhood with lots of tavernas and cafes, towards Dionisiou Aeropagitou, from there you can move towards Syntagma square. On the roads connecting Monastiraki square with Syntagma square, you will find a lot of bars and cafes:

 As for food, the GNTO suggests:

- Transistor: Vintage Atmosphere, Saturday night parties (10 Protogenus str)

- Mama Roux: Best Brunch in Town (48 Eolou str)

- Osterman: Classic American Style bar-restaurant (10 Aghias Irinis Square)

- Tzitzikas & Mermigas: Greek Kitchen (12 Mitropoleos str)

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For enquiries contact Jules Ugo or Frances Tuke on 0207 953 7470 or email firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk