The 1950s and 1960s are considered by many to be the "Golden Age" of Greek cinema. Directors and actors of this era were recognized as important historical figures in Greece and some gained international acclaim: Mihalis Kakogiannis, Alekos Sakellarios, Melina Mercouri, Nikos Tsiforos, Iakovos Kambanelis, Katina Paxinou, Nikos Koundouros, Ellie Lambeti, and Irene Papas. More than sixty films per year were made, with the majority having film noir elements. Notable films were "The Counterfeit Coin" (', 1955 directed by George Tzavellas), "Bitter Bread" (', 1951, directed by Grigoris Grigoriou), and "The Ogre of Athens" ("", 1956, directed by Nikos Koundouros).