As the Sea Rages (1959)

After his bitter experiences on the eastern coast of Greece during the Second World War, the young seaman Clements wants to start a new life as a sponge fisherman in the Aegean. But there, a fierce struggle for survival is underway between the net fishermen of Kalymnos, honest men, and the unscrupulous, hard-bitten poachers of Kuluri, who show little restraint in their fishing methods. Clements soon finds himself caught between the rival groups of fishermen. The poachers’ disfigured leader, Psarathanas, who does his work with sticks of dynamite, rules his gang members with an iron fist. His lover Mana fares little better under him. For some time, she has been trying to get away from him for good. In the honest Clements, she finally sees her chance. She steals all his savings and disappears. When Clements then joins the honest fishermen, who use traditional net-fishing methods, the situation escalates. The rivalry between the two groups soon grows more intense, the fight for the best catch turns merciless, and claims its first victim. Mana gets to know Clements better and eventually falls in love with him. She then decides to return his money. The young couple decide to leave the area and make a fresh start somewhere else. But Psarathanas learns of their planned escape and confronts his rival. In a duel, Clements beats the villainous adversary to death. While trying to save his friend, Captain Stassi, Clements goes down with his boat in the rough sea. Mana is left alone on her island.