A Matter of Dignity (1957)

Synopsis
Best known for their award-winning Zorba the Greek, director Michael Cacoyannis and writer Walter Lassally tackle both the grievous flaws in a selfish approach to life and the strength of character to overcome them in this cutting drama. The setting is the home of an elite Athens family that is quickly running out of money. The self-seeking mother more or less forces her daughter (Ellie Lambetti) to reject her two interesting suitors for a much-less attractive but wealthy Greek American -- he can give the family what it needs. In the meantime, their maid (Eleni Zafiriou) needs her overdue wages to cover her legitimate debts, many incurred when her little boy was traumatized and lost his ability to speak. The impoverished maid with valid concerns and the self-centered mother have a verbally violent confrontation on the issue which in the end, affects the daughter and her decisions about her own life. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide