THE HELLENIC-AMERICAN ‘DOGTOOTH’ NOMINATED FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CCFOREIGNIINNEE FILMMM OSCARAATT (SeeOO pageGG 3) RRAAPPHHIIKKAA

The on-line newsletter of The New York City Greek Film Festival #2 - January, 2011

Niarchos Foundation Awards Challenge Grants The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has awarded two challenge grants of $25,000 for each of the next two years to the New York City Greek Film Festival. “To say a simple 'thank you' is just not enough. We are most grateful to the Niarchos Foundation for their support and for their understanding of our mission and of the difficulties we face,” said Festival Director James DeMetro. “The Foundation has been at our side practically from the very beginning, but we honestly never expected this level of support. With this money the Foundation is not only seeing to the Festival's continuation but to its further development. People at the Foundation have been generous with their money and their advice. It's energizing to know that they want us to keep growing and improving.” Festival Manager Stamatis Ghikas explained that the Niarchos funds, which the Festival must match, are earmarked for very specific purposes, to pay for professional services that will take the Festival to the next level. “The budget in the past has never allowed us to move in the direction that these grants are going to take us,” Ghikas said. “The cost of running a decent festival in New York is somewhere between $75,000 and $100,000,” DeMetro explained. “Ticket sales cannot meet the expenses, particularly since the Festival wants to keep prices affordable for all. Without benefactors like the Niarchos Foundation, the Festival would not be possible.” Supporters of the New York City Greek Film Festival can help the Festival meet the challenge of the Niarchos grants. Those interested in making a contribution are urged to contact Mr. Ghikas at the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce office, 212-629-6380

A Critic's View Festival Presents Audacious, Thought-Provoking Films By Penelope Karageorge The 2010 New York City Greek Film Festival unreeled a dazzling array of new Greek films—audacious, controversial, entertaining, thought-provoking cinema with that special “Made in Greece” stamp. The best films from Greece refuse to play it safe. Greek auteurs are fearless, passionate, and original. “Strella” takes us on the emotional journey of a transsexual and her father. An extraordinary film, it works on many levels: as tragedy, as comedy, as sheer entertainment, as a moving human drama, as a gritty close-up look at a fascinating subculture. Writer/director Panos Koutras coaxed brilliant performances out of non-professional actors (A transsexual who looks like Maria Callas was not easy to cast.) Mina Orfanou won the Hellenic Film Academy's Best Actress award for her unforgettable portrayal of Strella. Yannis Kokiasmenos was superb as the father, and Betty Vakalidou unforgettable as Mary, a surrogate mother. As for “Plato's Academy” (Akadimia Platonos), what's not to love about a gentle comedy featuring four Greek slackers who spend their time watching and criticizing Albanian immigrants working around them? Antonis Kafetzopoulos gives a brilliant performance as Stavros, capturing all the nuances of this likeable loser. Separated from his wife, Stavros lives with his mother. When mama discovers a “lost” Albanian son, Stavros begins to wonder in dismay if he himself can be Albanian. This subtle, funny, ironic movie brings its point home: the new Greece has arrived. Titika Sarigouli gives a delightful performance as the mother. Filippos Tsitos directed and co-wrote the film. Plato’s Academy “The Island” (Nisos), the top grossing film of the year in Greece, is an example of what Greeks do superbly: satire, lampooning themselves in the spirit of Aristophanes. The death of a prominent citizen in a close-knit island village brings to light the secrets of his fellow citizens. The police chief, the mayor, the priest, the sexy widow, the young son of the police chief who wants to design women's clothing—everyone has a past and a delicious secret to hide. The performances are right-on in this fast-paced, well-written film directed by Christos Dimas. Not always politically correct, the film is occasionally tasteless but extremely entertaining. “America, America,” a work by the great Greek American Elia Kazan, chronicles his uncle's struggle to go from Anatolia to the USA. This was Kazan's favorite, and he put his heart and soul into the production. The cinematography is extraordinary as are many of the performances, including the lead played by Kazan discovery Stathis Giallelis. After the screening, Giallelis, who lives in New York City, was introduced by noted film critic Foster Hirsch. Giallelis offered a fascinating look at Kazan, and the making of the film, including Kazan's obsession to get all the details right. Released in 1963, the film has been remastered and is available in DVD—a must for any Greek American film lover. “Dark Odyssey,” set mostly in New York's Washington Heights in the 1950s, was written and directed by William Kyriakis and Radley Metzger and stars the remarkable Athan Karas. A Greek sailor jumps ship in New York and goes looking for the man who ruined his sister's life. But the sailor falls in love, goes to a party and dances. Karas, who died last year, made an extraordinary contribution to Greek dance in America, and does an unforgettable dance on screen. Cineaste editor Dan Georgakas, director Metzger and actor Lowell Byers, grandson of Karas, offered their insights on “Dark Odyssey” after the screening. In “Dogtooth” (Kynodontas), the award-winning Greek drama from young director Yorgos Lanthimos, a husband and wife keep their children imprisoned in their house. The teenagers play weird games, learn a language devised by their parents to further cut them off from the world, and engage in bizarre, sexless sex. It's funny, offensive, tragic and brilliant. The film played to a packed house at NYUs's Cantor Film Center, followed by a panel discussion with Dan Georgakas, Cineaste Editor; Vangelis Calotychos, professor, Columbia University; and psychologist Dr. Thomas Mallios. Dogtooth A family man suffers through a midlife crisis in “The Building Manager” (O Diaheiristis). He's caught between the devil (a sexy girl half his age whom he encounters in the Eden-like nursery where he goes to buy trees) and the deep blue sea (his mother) --and, of course, his wife. Hats off to auteur Periklis Hoursoglou, who wrote, directed and starred in the film with his real life wife Vangelio Andreadaki playing his wife and their two sons cast as sons in the film. This is an absorbing film —warm, human, with an insightful take on contemporary Greek life. Magnificent cinematography characterizes the most unusual “Black Field” (Mavro Livadi), written and directed by Vardis Marinakis. The year is 1654. A Janissary (a Greek recruited by force at a young age to serve in the Turkish army) turns up wounded at a remote cloister. A nun with a dark secret (she's actually a man) nurses him to health. The two flee into the woods together. Despite a muddled screenplay, the film's eroticism and scenery save it. The Hellenic Film Academy gave the film the award for Best Cinematography. “Four Black Suits” (Tessera Mavra Koustoumia) is a comedy written, directed and starring Renos Haralambidis, who also wrote the film score! Two down and out undertakers, an unsuccessful actor, and an ex-con try to turn their lives around. On the promise of a large fee, they carry out the dying wish of a Greek who lived abroad to carry his body on foot from Athens to his native village. We happen to love Haralambidis, so we'll go and see anything he does. This film won the Audience Award at the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. “With Heart And Soul,” (Psychi Vathia) written and directed by Pandelis Voulgaris, is a Greek Civil War epic focusing on two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides. Voulgaris, one of Greece's seminal filmmakers, dedicated the film to the thousands of victims who lost their lives in both sides of the conflict. Wonderful in so many ways, the film offers a great deal to admire—including Voulgaris's heart-rending depiction of young fighters who tease each other, kill each other and even fall in love. “Colossi of Love” focuses on the kamaki suitors, young men who perfected the art of seducing tourists in the 1970s and 80s. To make this documentary, director Nikos Mystriotis interviewed many of the kamaki men who waxed nostalgic about the time, the girls, the dancing, what they wore, and the fun they had. With Heart and Soul

“Sugartown: The Day After,” directed by Kimon Tsakiris, is an important documentary that takes an in-depth look at Zacharo (Sugartown) in the Western Peloponnese, almost destroyed in the fires of 2007. A total of 45 residents lost their lives, but the money provided to rebuild this community was lost or misused. The mayor behind much of the scandal blatantly tells almost all. Three delightful shorts by Greek American teenagers, winners in the No Limits 2010 competition co-sponsored by The National Herald and the New York City Greek Film Festival, rounded out the festival: “De Nada,” directed by Gracie Brett; “Don't Be A Liar: Mafia Stories Part II,” directed by Dennis Latos; and “Aroma, “ directed by Michael Kontaxis.

'Dogtooth” Earns Oscar Nomination “Dogtooth” (Kynodontas), the internationally acclaimed film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has been nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “Getting nominated was unexpected. It has made me and my collaborators extremely happy,” said Lanthimos. After its initial showing in Cannes in 2009 where it won the prestigious Un Certain Regard prize, “Dogtooth” has been shown all over the world at festivals and in commercial bookings. In the United States the film is being distributed by Kino/Lorber. It was among the films shown at the recent New York City Greek Film Festival. “This nomination is a fine tribute to Lanthimos,” said NYC Greek Film Fest director James DeMetro. “He has made a strikingly original film that deserves the attention it has received worldwide. But the nomination is also wonderful for the Greek film industry. Greek films are shown all over the world, but the American market has been resistant and unwelcoming. This nomination is bound to attract attention to the Greek film industry. It sends a clear message that Greek filmmakers are turning out world class films that deserve to be seen.” In the past, four Greek language films have been nominated for the Oscar. Two were directed by Michael Cacoyiannis: “Electra” in 1962 and “Iphigenia”in 1977. The other two were directed by Vasilis Georgiadis: “The Red Lanterns” (Kokkina Fanaria) in 1963 and “Blood On The Land” (To Homa Vaftike Kokkino) in 1965. A Greek film has never won. The record for most wins in this category is held by Italy, with France a close second. Lanthimos was born in Athens in 1973 and studied film and television direction at the Stavrakos Film School. He has worked in film, television, and theater. The Oscar winners will be announced in a nation-wide telecast on February 27.

“Strella: A Woman's Way” Koutras Talks About His Controversial Film Panos Koutras, director and co-writer of the controversial film “Strella: A Woman's Way” was braced for more than the usual share of problems and challenges that surround the launch of any film project. The sensitive subject matter of his film would inevitably bring forth obstacles that directors working on mainstream projects do not normally have to face. In New York City recently as a guest of the Onassis Greek Studies Program at NYU, Koutras spoke about some of the difficulties of making his film, an international sensation and the major hit at the fourth annual New York City Greek Film Festival. Casting “Strella” was particularly difficult, Koutras said. Mainstream actors were reluctant to commit to the film which has scenes of graphic sex and nudity and tells the story of a relationship between an ex-con and a male to female Betty Vakalidou pre-op transsexual prostitute. “Homophobia manifests itself in different ways, according to the culture of a country,” Koutras said. “Greece is homophobic. There is an active gay life, but nobody talks about it. There is no 'coming out.' We don't have gay activists or gay politicians. In Greece, 95 percent of the transsexuals are sex workers. They don't get hired as bank employees or even cab drivers. There is much phobia.” The male lead was cast first. Yannis Kokiasmenos , who plays the ex-con, is the husband of a film editor who has worked with Koutras. “He saw the script and loved it. He is an equestrian and animal rights activist who had done some acting in minor parts. This was his first major role. When he was younger, he was a left winger, and playing this part was practically a human rights issue for him. It helped that he has an acceptance of his body and is comfortable with his naked- Yannis Kokiasmenos ness,” Koutras said.

Finding an actress to play Strella was more difficult. “We had been searching for months and were just about ready to give up when Mina Orfanou called to test for the role. When we noticed the real chemistry between Mina and Yanni, we knew we had found the right people,” Koutras recalled. Both Orfanou and Kokiasmenos were nominated for top acting awards by the Hellenic Film Academy. Orfanou, a pre-op transsexual, went on to win Best Actress. “She was quite happy about that,” Koutras said. “More important than winning the top prize for her was the fact that she won it for being an actress, not an actor,” Koutras said. Mina Orfanou The key supporting role in the film is Mary, a surrogate mother to Strella, strikingly played by Betty Vakalidou. “Betty is an iconic figure,” Koutras explained. “She is the first known transsexual in Greece and is an important figure in Greek gay culture. She was the leader of a short lived gay revolution back in 1977. She wrote two books that were banned, and she was persecuted. No less a figure than Jean Genet came to her defense. She dropped out of the public eye in 1980 and had not been seen much until this film.” The name Strella is a combination of Stella and “trella,” which means “craziness.” Koutras said that he is often asked to comment on the landmark Michael Cacoyannis film “Stella” from the 1950s, most likely because of the similarity in title as well as in the radical nature of the women in each film. “Cacoyanni's Stella , played by Mercouri, is a woman who wants to be liberated, not married. She wants to live free, and she pays for this with her life. Strella wants the same thing, but she doesn't die. She lives. My film doesn't end like a tragedy. There is no punishment. It refuses to engage characters in a primarily punitive mode. They are not punished for who they are or what they do,” Koutras said. While this suggests possible social change that films like “Strella” are helping to bring about, Koutras was quick to downplay any such connection between film and real life. “As a filmmaker my preoccupation is to develop characters, to tell a story. If that has political, sociological or psychological elements, all the better. But as a filmmaker, I am obliged to speak about characters. I'm not doing social work. I'm making a movie. I'm not changing the world. Cinema doesn't change the world. Political action, heroes change the world.,” Koutras said.

After Venice, It's Sundance for “Attenberg” The new Greek film “Attenberg,” directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari, is attracting much attention at festivals around the world. After the film's lead actress Ariane Lebed won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival last September, the film is heading for Utah later this month where it will become the first Greek film to be showcased at Sundance in the festival's spotlight section. “Attenberg” is an offbeat coming of age story of an emotionally stunted 23 year old girl who is facing her father's imminent death as well as her own sexual awakening. The Hollywood Reporter has called it “a Greek film with style and verve.” Screen Daily predicted that “festivals, art houses and many film critics will be falling head over heels for this picture.” Director Tsangari was born in Greece and studied theater at NYU before earning her MFA in film production at the University of Texas. She was an associate producer on the film “Dogtooth,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Athina Rachel Tsangari “Attenberg” is her second feature film. Greek Film Opens Rotterdam Festival “Wasted Youth,” a new Greek film that focuses on the city of Athens in crisis, opened the 40th Rotterdam Film Festival on January 26. The film will compete for the festival's prestigious Tiger Award. Directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos and Jan Vogel, “Wasted Youth” is set on a hot summer day in Athens, when the lives of a teen skateboarder and a stressed middle aged man will intersect. Calling the film “stylish and gripping,” festival director Rutger Wolfson has praised the film for its “subtle impression of the relationships between citizens and authority and between individual freedoms and economic realities.” The Rotterdam Festival will run through February 6. Wasted Youth

London Festival Honors Hoursoglou Film The 2010 London Greek Film Festival has given its Best Film award to “The Building Manager” (O Diaheiristis), directed by Periklis Hoursoglou. The film was shown to much acclaim in the 2010 New York City Greek Film Festival last October. “The Building Manager” is very much a Hoursoglou family affair. The director not only wrote the screenplay but stars in the film as well with his wife Vangelio Andreadaki and their two sons. The film is about a man who surrenders to the vagaries of love, involving him- self with a much younger woman and, in the process, threatening his marriage and family. The film won the International Federation of Film Critics award in Thessaloniki in 2009 and has been shown in festivals around the world, most recently in The Building Manager Chicago. “Eyes of Night,” an earlier film by Mr. Hoursoglou, was shown in the second annual New York City Greek Film Festival in 2008.

Greek Films Score at Thessaloniki Three new Greek films have made impressive showings at the 51st International Thessaloniki Film Festival, winning prestigious prizes. The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award for Greek Films went to “Apnea,” directed by Ari Bafalooka. It's the story of a young swimmer who fulfills the dream of a lifetime when he wins the European championship but who feels haunted by the memory of his relationship with an environmental activist who has disappeared. “Nobody” (Kanenas) , directed by Christos Nikoleris, won the Fischer Audience Award for Greek Films. The film relates the experiences of a young Russian law student and an Albanian girl who live in Athens, a city that does not appear ready to accept them. In the international competition, the Silver Alexander went to Athina Rachel Tsangari for her film “Attenberg.

Greek Parliament Passes New Film Law Following arduous and sometimes contentious lobbying by Greek filmmakers, the Greek Parliament has passed a new film law that will impose non-compliance sanctions against television channels and mobile phone operators who fail to invest 1.5% of their gross income in film production. The new law also provides financial incentives for private producers investing in Greek film production, with additional support for those who invest in films that are deemed as non-commercial. The law dictates that both the Greek Film Centre and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival will have their boards of directors nominated by the Minister of Culture. The law, however, fails to make provision for the creation of a state-backed film school, a major demand of the filmmakers. The new legislation also makes no financial commitment to the support of the Greek Cinematheque.

Savides Winning Praise For ‘Somewhere’ Cinematographer Harris Savides is winning praise for his work on the new Sophia Coppola film “Somewhere.” Review after review is singling out Savides, crediting him for the film's strikingly beautiful look. A. O. Scott, in The New York Times, noted that the film was shot “in lovely tones of Southern California haze by the great Harris Savides,” and likened watching the film to reading a poem. David Denby, in The New Yorker, said the film was “beautifully photographed.” A Manhattan resident, Savides was born in 1957 in New York City to parents of Greek Cypriot origin. He earned a degree in photography and film from the School of Visual Arts. He got his start as a fashion photographer and went on to make videos and films. One of the most interesting and talented cinematographers working today, Savides is best known for his collaboration with director Gus Van Sant on such films as “Gerry” and “Elephant.” Among Savides's other films are “Margot At The Wedding,” “Greenberg,” “Milk,” and “American Gangster.” Asked once by a Village Voice reporter to explain his philosophy of illumination, Savides gave a response that has since become legendary among cinematographers: “I light a room and let the people inhabit it, as opposed to lighting the people,” he said. “It's more organic. You want to protect the people you're working with, and there's a constant battle between the best light for their face and the best light for the story. You don't want to get to the point where the audience notices the light.”

Giannaris Film To Play Berlin In yet another coup for Greek cinema, “Man At Sea,” the new film by Constantine Giannaris, will play the Berlin Film Festival in February. The film is the story of a captain of an oil tanker who disobeys the financially troubled owners of his ship in an effort to save a group of shipwrecked illegal aliens. Giannaris, who started his filmmaking career in Great Britain, currently lives and works in Greece. His film “Hostage” (Omiros) was shown in the first New York City Greek Film Festival in 2007. Also scheduled to be shown at the Berlin fest is the Albanian/Greek/French co-production “Amnesty.”

Constantine Giannaris

To contact the Director of the festival, write to: [email protected] or call 212-988-1929. THE NEW YORK CITY GREEK FILM FESTIVAL THE HELLENIC-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 780 Third Avenue, 16th Floor, New York NY 10017 Tel 212/629 6380 • Fax 212/564 9281 • [email protected] • www.hellenicamerican.cc