**Eva Kotamanidou (1936-2020)** was a prominent Greek actress, an iconic figure of national auteur cinema, known primarily for her prolific collaboration with director Theo Angelopoulos.

Her cinematic career is inextricably linked to Angelopoulos's masterpieces, where she delivered memorable performances characterized by a strong yet subtle screen presence and an intense gaze. Among her most significant roles are those in **_O Thiasos_ (The Travelling Players, 1975)**, in the central role of the mother, and in **_Megalexandros_ (Alexander the Great, 1980)**. Her most celebrated performance is perhaps that in **_Taxidi sta Kythira_ (Voyage to Cythera, 1984)**, where she embodies the woman awaiting the return of her exiled husband, becoming a symbol of hope and historical memory.

Her style was marked by dignity and melancholy, often portraying resilient women who reflected the vicissitudes and soul of the Greek people.