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The 16th Antipodes Greek Film Festival Cinema, from the Greek word kinema (ki-ni-ma) is an initiative of the Greek Orthodox meaning ‘motion’ or ‘movement’. Community of Melbourne & Victoria. Now that we’ve got the clichés out of the way – one of very few in this 2009 Antipodes Festival Board of Management year’s program – we’d like to welcome you to the 16th Greek Film Festival. Leonidas D. Vlahakis (Chair), Anthea Sidiropoulos (Secretary), Bill It’s been over a decade since a Greek film made official selection at the Papastergiadis, Costas Markos, Aggelos Cannes Film Festival and this year, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Dogtooth not only Koukoulas, Christos Tsirkas, Dimitri made it to the French Riviera, but went on to win the festival’s prestigious Kanellakos, Dimitri Koutsoukos, Fotis Un Certain Regard Award. We’re honoured to have it screening as part of Kapetopoulos, Helen Kalimnios, Jorge C Menidis, Kaliopi Economakos, Marianthi our program. Kypourou, Mary Tsouvalakis, Michael M Christoforidis, Polychronis Papadopoulos, This year, we introduce a number of emerging filmmakers who have made the Tammy Iliou, Tony Tsourdalakis, Zisis leap from short to long and we’re thrilled to be screening their debut features. Y Pouros, Dean Kalimnios (co-opt), Ignatios Karasavvidis (co-opt). Our Opening Night film,Bang Bang Wedding is Christine Crokos’ first feature CM film, and Alexis Alexiou also makes his debut with the psychological thrillerTale 52. Staff MY Festival Director Penny Kyprianou Vassillis Mirianthopoulos gives us Just Broken Up, a modern-day farce of Festival Coordinator Joe Mavrikos coincidences and confusion, and Spiros Stathoulopoulos retells a true Colombian CY Accounts Peter Parthimos hostage story in his gripping PVC-1, a film shot in one continuous take. Office Staff Olga Topatsis CMY Program Editor Emma Westwood You may want to leave the grandparents at home for A Woman’s Way: K Festival Image and Trailer Strella, a mesmerising tale of perceived immorality from the director of Real Art Direction & Design Life (2005 Greek Film Festival), Panos H. Koutras. Leading actress Mina Orfanou Carlo Mazzarella One Heavy gives a stunning debut performance and she, along with the entire adult Photography Gerry Kourtis female cast, is not anatomically a woman. Max Amos Photography Trailer Editor The selection also includes two documentaries straight from the Greek David Mazzarella Third Cousin Films Trailer Animation Panorama section of this year’s Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. Bombing Christian Tabacco Pixelhaus takes us through the coloured streets of Athens, as seen through the eyes of Web Design and Development hip-hop graffiti artists, whileSchoolwave on the Rocks takes a behind-the- Mecca Medialight scenes look at the title’s music festival and is guaranteed to inspire the Publicity Limelight PR formation of a few new rock groups. Special thanks Nia Karteris, Manolis Plantzos, Dimi We also hope you enjoy the small, but strong selection of locally made short Lafazanos, Maria Foundas, Michael films covering themes of genocide, masculinity, love and family. Anastas, Bico Athanasas, Liza Linardou and Iliana Zakopoulou at the Greek Film As you flick through this program, we’re certain you’ll find something to inspire Centre, Fani Inda at Odeon, Denia Safari and move you or give you reason to laugh. One particular film may even make at Argonauts Productions, Elysia Zeccola, Cleopatra Fox, Laneway Productions. you reconsider the next Tupperware party invitation! Volunteers Above all, we’re giving you 22 great reasons to take some time out from the Nectaria Kapsaskis, KostaTzimourtas, craziness, enter a darkened room and switch off from the rest of world… Stavroula Mpakertzi, Angela Hatzilepos, except for , of course. Stacey Zarifopoulos The Greek Film Festival is managed by the Penny Kyprianou National Network of Hellenic Festivals. Festival Director MESSAGES TICKETING AND VENUE Palace Cinema Como Corner Chapel Street and Toorak Rd VENUE INFORMATION South Yarra VIC 3141 T: (03) 9827 7533

Opening Night Event HOW TO BUY GETTING THERE Australian Premiere Christine Crokos’ Bang Bang Wedding After party at Como Centre. Time: 7.00pm In Person Public Transport Date: Wednesday 2nd September Palace Cinema Como Train I am pleased to announce the opening of the Antipodes From its humble beginnings sixteen years ago, the Venue: Palace Cinema Como 12noon - 8.30pm daily South Yarra train station is located Greek Film Festival, now into its 16th year. Greek Film Festival is now celebrated in four major cities All tickets $44.00 There are no booking fees for approximately 250 metres from the of Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide). purchasing at cinemas. Como centre on Toorak Road. The Antipodes Greek Film Festival is acknowledged as It is with great pleasure that this year we present to you Tickets a forum whereby Greek cinema not only can be enjoyed a selection of diverse films that represents not only a Tram and observed but evaluated by its patrons. Films that Single Session Tickets contemporary portrait of Greek cinema, but acquaints Stop number 31 on the 008 Toorak are participating in this year’s Festival, such as A Woman’s Adult $16.50 Online the audience with the works of filmmakers of the Tram, from Toorak or the City. Way: Strella and Dogtooth (winner of this year’s Concession $14.00 Tickets are available Hellenic diaspora. prestigious Un Certain Regard award at Cannes Film securely online 24hrs via the Festival), have toured the international film festival The Festival will be launched with the Australian premiere Eligible Concessions: Palace Cinemas website. circuit with success. Additionally, we are privileged to be of Bang Bang Wedding, a romantic comedy directed by Palace Movie Club members (max 2), www.palacecinemas.com.au/st.como.asp Full-time Students (photo ID required), Parking screening Spiros Stathoulopoulos’ PVC-1, a film that has Christine Crokos (a Greek-American) and stars our very Booking fees apply. Senior Citizens, Health Care card holders Paid parking is available at the attracted great acclaim by critics. own Alex Dimitriades This is an important example of the (You will be required to present the credit card & Pensioners. The cardholder must used for online purchases and all relevant Como Centre. innovative works and collaborations that are currently This year’s Festival program also reveals a resurgence present a current ID card in order to gain concession card/s when collecting tickets from Mon – Fri: Flat rate of $7.00 after 5pm taking place within the Greek film industry. the concession. the box office. Invalid or incorrect concession Sat – Sun: Flat rate of $7.00 of the comedy genre that was a significant form of purchases may result in the voiding of your entertainment during the 1950s and 1960s. Contemporary This year’s Festival program provides a mosaic of award- Multiple Film Passes sale without refund) comedies such as Bang Bang Wedding, Just Broken Up winning films from accomplished and emerging directors. 5 film pass $70.00 and Elias of the 16th Precinct, combined with a selection Well Kept Secrets-Athanasia, an intimate insight into (Multiple film passes are for separate, pre- of strong documentaries by emerging overseas directors human relationships, received numerous awards at the Accessibility selected sessions for one person. All films and short films by local filmmakers, make this year’s 2008 Thessaloniki International Film Festival. We have also Palace Cinema Como is equipped must be chosen in advance to different By Phone with disabled facilities, located on program one of broad appeal. secured the screening of the most successful box office films at the time of purchase and can only (03) 9827 7533 level 2A when exiting the lifts. films in Greece for the year 2008-2009, such asFirst Time be redeemed at the cinema of purchase The Festival package is indicative of the Greek Orthodox Tickets may be purchased using all Godfather, directed by Olga Malea and Just Broken Up, by (eg. a pass purchased at Cinema Como Community of Melbourne & Victoria’s commitment to major credit cards by phone during Vassilis Mirianthopoulos. will only be valid for festival screenings at GENERAL ENQUIRIES promote Greek cinema and directors of Greek heritage box office hours. Cinema Como). Multiple film passes are (Credit card is debited at time of booking and Greek Orthodox Community and to share it with the wider community. The Festival The Board of the Antipodes Festival invites you to enjoy only available in person at the Cinema must be produced when collecting tickets. of Melbourne & Victoria now forms a critical part of the cultural fabric of cinema and explore the unique cinematic experience of this years’ Como box office. Patrons are encouraged to collect tickets 30 T: (03) 9662 2722 in Victoria. Greek Film Festival. minutes prior to the session to avoid queues. Credit card transactions by phone will incur a [email protected] Bill Papastergiadis Leonidas. D Vlahakis fee of $1 per ticket.) President, Greek Orthodox Community Chair, Antipodes Festival of Melbourne & Victoria FESTIVAL CONDITIONS All Festival films are restricted to persons 18 years of age and over unless specified. This relates not necessarily to the content of the films, but to the legal requirements of holding the Festival, as set by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC). Festival tickets, once acquired, are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced or refunded. All seating is reserved. We anticipate that door sales will be available for most sessions, however this cannot be guaranteed. Patrons are urged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Palace Cinema passes and other complimentary passes, cinema promotions and free ticket offers are not valid for festival screenings. Dates, times and programs are correct at the time of publication, but may need to be altered. We reluctantly reserve the right to withdraw, change and replace programs without notice. All non-English language films have English subtitles. OPENING NIGHT CLOSING NIGHT

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Bang Bang Wedding My Life In Ruins (Το Γαμήλιο Πάρτυ) dir: Christine Crokos dir:

Starring Australia’s own Alex treatment, while others become About the Director The writer and star of My Big Fat Did you know…the song Georgia About the Director Dimitriades and directed by a New embroiled in a little illegal activity Born and reared in the USA, Greek Wedding, , goes sings on the beach is Never on This actor switched careers Yorker also of Greek heritage, Bang and gatecrash a party of a very Christine Crokos studied film at to Greece in this uplifting comedy Sunday (Pote tin Kyriaki), the mid-stream and became a director Bang Wedding is a fast-paced, different nature. USC Cinema School and worked about a girl seeking her kefi (mojo). Oscar-winning song from the 1960 of film and TV in the mid-1980s. with Warner Bros Studios, Copper The son of TV producer Dorothea light-hearted and stylish road-trip “It’s an invitation to taste a Georgia works as a travel guide, movie of the same title. My Life in set against a spectacular backdrop Media and Runaway Editing. Ruins is also the first Hollywood Petrie and director Daniel Petrie. modern/tradition Greek wedding, Bang Bang Wedding is her first leading a rag-tag group of in Crete. film to be given permission to At the urging of his father, Petrie starting at the altar and evolving feature film. tourists across her native Greece shoot at the Acropolis since attended the American Film Ilias (Alex Dimitriades) and Marina into a crazy ride on the way to the while waiting to land her dream Institute, where he made The Boy on a Dolphin (1957). (Faye Xila) exchange vows without reception.” - Greek Film Centre job. Opening their eyes to an Expert, an award-winning student a hitch, but when they set off for exotic foreign land, she too begins short about a day in the life of a the reception, a small yet important Greek with English subtitles to see things in new ways, finding English language doctor who must supervise a USA/Spain | 2009 | 95mins | 35mm typo on the invitation ensures Greece | 2008 | 89mins | Digibeta her kefi and possibly even love in gas-chamber execution. Since, he Written by: Ifigeneia Kotsoni Written by: has directed films such asGrumpy whatever can go wrong will go the process. Producer: Michelle Chydzik Sowa Producer: Panos Papahadzis Old Men (1993), Richie Rich & Nathalie Marciano wrong. A collision causes amnesia Cast: Alex Dimitriades, Faye Xila, Chrysa (1994), Miss Congeniality (2000), Ropa, Giorgos Karamichos, Betty Maggira Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, for one guest, with only a Alexis Georgoulis, Alistair McGowan How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days veterinarian available for (2003), and Just My Luck (2006). Contemporary Greek Cinema written by Emma Westwood

With names like Hippocrates, Aristotle and Socrates decorating Greek history, there’s little argument Greeks are great innovators and thinkers. In keeping with this highly distinguished challenges the more conservative lineage, the 16th Greek Film Festival aspects of Greek society. The acts as a barometer for the current unconventional fantasy-thriller Tale climate of neo-Greek cinema, which, 52 is another Greek feature that has in the proud Hellenic tradition, comes attracted considerable attention in The inclusion of such a rollercoaster Dounoukos, who compellingly This year’s Festival program complete with surprises that push at foreign markets. ride as PVC-1 in the Festival program details the conundrums experienced continues to boast the runaway hits predisposed boundaries. – essentially, a Spanish language film by Greek families, particularly men, that have coloured Greek cinema in As the Greek Diaspora continues set in South America, but produced in Australia and dispels stereotypical recent decades. But for those wary This year’s Festival program reflects to meld into the most far-flung and directed by a filmmaker of Greek myths of ‘the immigrant’. Our of parochialism that hardly extends a mini renaissance domestically countries across the globe, what it heritage – also demonstrates how Closing Night feature, My Life beyond the Athenian city limits, in Greece with cinema admissions means to be Greek, and the stories Greeks relate to other peoples. The in Ruins, is the latest Hollywood the Festival’s offering is as broad surging. Some telling examples that accompany such nationalistic film’s passionate reception in Greece blockbuster from My Big Fat Greek as the reach of the Greek Diaspora include the remarkable Dogtooth – definitions, take on new and could relate to its preponderance Wedding’s Nia Vardalos, who almost itself. To witness Alex Dimitriades (a the first Greek film in many years to revelatory forms. The telling of a on religious faith (in PVC-1’s single-handedly boosted the profile Greek-Australian) star in our Opening attract the attention of the Cannes Greek story isn’t solely reserved to case, Catholicism), which plays a of Greeks internationally, along Night feature, Bang Bang Wedding, judges, and an intense example of those of Greek heritage, but speaks significant role in Greek society. with cinematic auteurs Costa- directed by Christine Crokos (a Greek- iconoclastic filmmaking unlike any to people of all ethnicities and Gavras (Eden is West) and Theo American) and shot in spectacular A clear voice for the emigrant Greek story told before. The confronting A persuasions. As someone famous Angelopoulos (Trilogy 2:The Dust Crete proves that neo-Greek cinema in this year’s Festival can be heard Woman’s Way: Strella is a post- once said, a good story crosses of Time). knows no limits. modern Greek tragedy that boldly cultural barriers. through the short films of Sotiris NEO CINEMA

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Tale 52 A Woman’s Way: (Ιστορία 52) Strella (Στρέλλα) dir: Alexis Alexiou dir: Panos H. Koutras

Tale 52 straddles the line between Iasonas wakes to find Penelope About the Director A post-modern Greek tragedy doesn’t for a moment doubt About the Director psychological family drama and missing. He struggles to reconstruct Born in 1976, Alexis Alexiou unfurling against the glowing its own core values: humanity Born in Athens, Panos H. Koutras fantasy thriller in its depiction of the the events prior to her disappearance. obtained a degree in physics from nights of Athens, A Woman’s Way: and compassion. studied at the London end and the beginning of an affair. “Alexiou has aimed high with his the University of Athens before Strella follows a man, Yiorgos, on “Defies the taboos of the ancients International Film School and studying cinema in Greece. His the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1995, An elliptical reality bender, it’s feature debut and hits his mark his first evening out of prison to end up portraying a happy essentially a story about obsessive short films have participated in where he meets a young he founded 100% Synthetic Films square on, the end result a truly numerous international film alternative family. The production and started working on his first love; about a man attempting to transsexual prostitute, Strella, with potent work on the relationship festivals. Tale 52 is his debut feature. combines dingy realism, the divine feature film,The Attack of the Giant transcend himself in order to win between perception, reality and our whom he falls in love. Maria Callas and plenty of sex and Mousaka (2000). His second feature back the woman he desires. own minds.” - Variety Portraying people who live on the campy dialogue.” - Variety film,Real Life (2005 GFF), won the Mutual friends act as go-betweens fringes of society, questioning Greek National Critics Award. Warnings: Strong sex scenes in bringing Iasonas and Penelope Greek with English subtitles preconceived ideas, feelings and Nudity | Occasional coarse language Greece | 2008 | 97mins | 35mm together. The match appears to be the collective imagination; this Subject matter may offend some viewers a good one, with the relationship Written & produced by: Alexis Alexiou touching film presents a parallel Cast: Giorgos Kakanakis, Serafita Grigoriadou Greek with English subtitles finding momentum immediately, world, generally considered as Greece | 2009 | 113 mins | 35mm and Penelope taking up residence immoral and suspect by the larger Written by Panos H. Koutras with Iasonas. One morning, masses. But this is a world that Producer: Panos H. Koutras Cast: Mina Orfanou, Giannis Kokiasmenos NEO CINEMA

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The Last Homecoming Dogtooth (Ο Τελευταίος Γυρισμός) (Κυνόδοντας) dir: Corinna Avraamidou dir: Yorgos Lanthimos

Filmmaker Corinna Avraamidiou relationships, as compelling About the Director The first Greek film to make official ‘zombie’ is a yellow flower and cats About the Director shows us the vulnerability of a small desires and needs begin to unfold. Corinna Avraamidou was born selection at the Cannes Film Festival are considered ruthless predators. Yorgos Lanthimos studied film and community at a very specific Passions, infidelities and betrayal in Cyprus in 1971 and studied film in a decade and winner of the Very few outsiders venture inside television direction at Stavrakou moment in history – immediately emerge, while political mumblings and television in London and New festival’s prestigious Un Certain their walls, until the father engages School in Athens. Since 1995, he before their lives are besieged by are heard in the distance. The year York. Her 25-minute film,The Secret Regard award, the highly stylised a female security worker to assist has directed filmsKinetta (2005), war. Such uncertainty and upheaval is 1974. Soon their world will of the First Day, won the prize for and absurdist Dogtooth sees a his son with a necessary bodily theatre plays, video, dance and a Best Screenplay at the 2nd Cyprus large number of TV commercials. comes counterpointed with the change forever. Josef Fritzl-like father and wife function – sexual release. Short Film Festival. The Last He was also a member of the blossoming of a love affair and the Homecoming is her first construct a domestic ‘Eden’ where creative team of Dimitris sheer beauty of the Mediterranean Greek with English subtitles feature film. their docile teens can be protected Warnings: Explicit sex scenes Papaioannou for the opening and island of Cyprus, where the colours Cyprus | 2008 | 85mins | 35mm from a contaminated world. Nudity | Medium level violence closing ceremonies of the Athens Written by: Corinna Avraamidou and sounds of nature reflect a Greek with English subtitles 2004 . Producer: Kyriakos Tofaridis Unfolding in a deadpan fashion Greece | 2009 | 94 mins | Digibeta seemingly carefree environment. Cast: Stavros Louras, Christopher Creco, with a satirical black comic vein, Written by: Efthymis Filippou Maria Kitsou, Popi Avraam During the course of what seems the film depicts a hermetically & Yorgos Lanthimos Producer: Yorgos Lanthimos to be an idyllic Mediterranean enclosed compound, which even Cast: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, summer, a Greek-Cypriot family are has its own innocuous vocabulary, Aggeliki Papoulia, Christos Passalis, Mary asked to re-evaluate their where a ‘vagina’ is a keyboard, a Tsoni, Anna Kalaintzidou NEO CINEMA

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The Hellenic Perspective

PVC-1

dir: Spiros Stathoulopoulos

Shot in one, continuous take, an amazing feat of production About the Director Spiros Stathoulopoulos’ debut ‘choreography’. A combination of Born in Thessaloniki, Spiros feature, PVC-1, is an edge-of-the- professional and amateur actors Stathoulopoulos began making seat thriller that has proved a were prepped to ensure an movies at an early age. At fourteen, revelation at festivals worldwide, awareness of the precise seven years after his family moved taking out a number of awards positioning of the camera at all to Colombia, he earned his first award for the fiction video short (including Award of the City of times to create a taut sense of the Dimension. He later edited the Rome at Cannes). real-time crisis. feature filmHabitos Sucios for Based on a true story, a rural renowned Colombian director Colombian mother is turned into a Warning: Medium level violence Carlos Palau, and then decided to move to Los Angeles for formal human time bomb after criminals Spanish with English subtitles Colombia | 2007 | 85mins | Digibeta training. PVC-1 is his first feature secure a collar produced from PVC Written by: Spiros Stathoulopoulos film, and was screened at the piping to her neck in an unusual & Dwight Istanbulian Director’s Fortnight at Cannes act of terrorism. The film unfolds Produced by: Spiros Stathoulopoulos IFF 2007. & Jace Hall over a mile of physical territory in Cast: Merida Urquia, Daniel Paez, Alberto News, Culture, Entertainment & Community jungle terrain in what has proved Sornoza, Hugo Pereira Wednesday 2 September 7pm OPENING NIGHT Bang Bang Wedding Thursday 3 September 7pm 9pm

Guiness Short: Paper & Sand PVC-1 Friday 4 September 7pm 9pm

JUST BROKEN UP Dogtooth

Saturday 5 September 2.45pm 4.45pm 7pm 9pm

Shorts: Spike Up & Bombing Melbourne The Lovers From Axos First Time Godfather Well Kept Secrets - Athanasia Screening Schoolwave on the Rocks Schedule Sunday 6 September 2.30pm 4.45pm 6:45pm 9pm Short: Pontos Small Crime I’M DYING FOR YOU! Elias of the 16th Precinct The Last Homecoming 2 - 13 September Monday 7 September 7pm 9pm JUST BROKEN UP Tale 52

Tuesday 8 September 7pm 9pm Palace Cinema Como Short: Bombshell S.E.X Corner Chapel St A WOMAN’S WAY: Strella and Toorak Rd Wednesday 9 September 7pm 9pm South Yarra VIC 3141 Short: Pontos Shorts: Spike Up & Bombing T: (03) 9827 7533 The Last Homecoming Schoolwave on the Rocks

Thursday 10 September 7pm 9pm S.E.X Dogtooth Friday 11 September 6:45pm 9:15pm

Short: Mona Lisa Short: Bombshell Well Kept Secrets - Athanasia A WOMAN’S WAY: Strella

Saturday 12 September 2.45pm 5pm 7pm 9pm Short: Paper & Sand Guiness Bang Bang Wedding Elias of the 16th Precinct PVC-1 Sunday 13 September 2.45pm 4.45pm 6:45pm 9pm CLOSING NIGHT First Time Godfather Small Crime I’M DYING FOR YOU! My Life in Ruins Monday 14 September 6:45pm 9pm Best of Festival (Popular Demand) Best of Festival (Popular Demand) 17

Guiness (Γκίνες) dir: Alexis Kardaras

With the tagline ‘the most Guiness was the closing night About the Director unfortunate comedy of the year’, feature of this year’s Los Angeles Born in Athens in 1965 Alexis Guiness takes an offbeat approach Greek Film Festival where it also won Kardaras studied filmmaking at at illustrating how fickle luck can be the award for Best Dramatic Feature. NYU Film School and modern art – one moment you have it, the history. He made a number of short films before making his feature next moment it’s gone. Greek with English subtitles Greece | 2009 | 94mins | 35mm debut with The Robbery in 1999. Threatened by his debtors, rocked Written by: Alexis Kardaras by a broken heart and driven by & Nikos Panayiotopoulos greed, a charming gambler arrives Producer: Konstantinos Moriatis at a middle-of-nowhere tavern in Cast: Giorgos Pyrpasopoulos, Markella Giannatou, Stelios Mainas, search of a case of gold. Instead, Dimitris Alexandris he attracts the attentions of the grumpy tavern owner’s unhappy wife, whose affection complicates his plan and perpetuates his spell of misfortune. NEO CINEMA

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Well Kept Secrets, Athanasia Small Crime (Καλά Κρυμμένα Μυστικά, Αθανασία) (Μικρό Έγκλημα) dir: Panos Karkanevatos dir: Christos Georgiou

A compelling personal epic that Greek island girl who was exiled About the Director The intricacies and eccentricities lead directly to Angeliki and he About the Director trips across the globe embracing by her community. When Angela Panos Karkanevatos studied Cinema of a small village are vividly finds himself falling under her spell. Born in London in 1966 to the worldwide Greek diaspora, eventually meets her father, his in Athens and Europe and is an expressed in this exquisite drama It appears everyone here has their Greek-Cypriot parents, Christos Well Kept Secrets, Athanasia was stories paint a vivid picture of EAVE 1991 graduate. He founded about a young police officer own version of the truth. Georgiou studied Film Direction Vergi Film Productions in 1993 and in the UK and Poland. His award the winner of the critics’ FIPRESCI her mother, Athanassia, and the begrudgingly assigned to a small “Unfolding in a beautiful, remote Prize at last year’s Thessaloniki strange paths of love she walked. has produced and directed feature island in the Aegean. winning short filmsGrandmother’s films and creative documentaries, location that practically becomes Hands, Jal Uthna, Tomasz and Film Festival. Well-Kept Secrets, Athanasia is many of which have been Leonidas believes he should be a character in itself, this appealing The Baptism were selected for A young American woman, a woman’s legacy and a telling distributed in Europe and the US. in the big city solving important second feature from Christos broadcast by Channel Four in Angela, returns to her Greek reminder of the many hidden crimes, rather than putting up ‘no Georgiou humorously captures the Britain. Small Crime has also roots in an effort to uncover layers of those closest to us. nudism’ signs and watching the mentality of a small island screened at this year’s Seattle IFF, Karlovy Vary IFF, Palm Springs IFF the identity of her real father. island’s favourite daughter, community.” - Variety and the LA Greek Film Festival. In the process, she shatters Greek with English subtitles Angeliki, appear daily on her own the very myths constructed to Cyprus/USA/Netherlands/Belgium | 2008 | morning TV show. But when Greek with English subtitles 100 mins | 35mm Greece/Cyprus | 2008 | 85 mins | 35mm protect her, exposing an unlikely Written & produced by: Panos Karkanevatos someone is found dead, Leonidas Written by: Christos Georgiou relationship between a nomadic Cast: Robert H. Thomson, Stavroula Logotheti, suspects foul-play rather than a Produced by: Christos Georgiou photojournalist captivated by a Marina Kalogirou, Yorgos Karamichos drunken tumble. His investigations & Thanassis Karathanos Cast: Aris Servetalis, Viky Papadopoulou COMEDY

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Just Broken Up I’m Dying For You! (Μόλις Χώρισα) (Πεθαίνω Για Σένα) dir: Vasilis Mirianthopoulos dir: Nikos Karapanagiotis

Filmmaker Vasilis Mirianthopoulos stems. Things get even more About the Director Inspired by Eleni Rantou’s hit triangle – or, more appropriately, draws from his theatrical origins complicated with the introduction Born in Piraeus in 1965, Vasilis play, Mum Don’t Run, which had ‘love square’ – leads to confusion with this modern-day farce of of Victor from Spain, an uninvited Mirianthopoulos is an established record-breaking crowds doubled among feuding family members coincidences and confusion, which lady called Titika Karlatira and a theatre artist. He studied theatre over with laughter for three when a mysterious death suddenly he wrote and directed to food delivery boy. (P. Katseli Drama School, Peiraikos consecutive seasons in Athens and occurs. Is it an unfortunate considerable acclaim for Athens’ Syndesmos Drama School), Thessaloniki, comes a riotous and accident or maybe a crime of As the calamities escalate, so do painting (G. Bournazakis) and Omada Drasis Theatre Company. rambunctious story of an average passion between star-crossed the laughs. In all the fuss, dance (Zozo Nikoloudi, Giannis Electra’s surprise birthday party is questions rise to the fore: how are Metsis, Konrad Bukes), and works Greek family immersed in a not-so lovers? Many say it, but few mean meant to be a time for celebration Batman, mammoths, strip shows, as a director, actor, dancer and average romantic debacle. it… I would die for you. until her lover, Petros, leaves a pizzas and Tupperware ladies choreographer. Just Broken Up is Consider what could happen when his feature film directorial debut, Warning: Frequent coarse language message on her answering related to the break-up? a mother (a former dancer and and his second film,Soula Ela Xana Greek with English subtitles machine calling an end to their (S.E.X) also screens at this festival. tango instructor), her teenage son Greece | 2009 | 102mins | Digibeta relationship. Her friends intercept, Greek with English subtitles (an identity challenged teenager) Written by: Eleni Rantou & Filippos Desillas Greece | 2008 | 90mins | Digibeta Producer: Giorgos Louizos opting to hide the news from an Written by: Vasilis Mirianthopoulos and the stereotypical Greek father Cast: Eleni Rantou, Fanis Mouratidis, Produced by: Manos Krezias, Kostas unsuspecting Electra, which is (a traffic controlling police officer) Sifis Polyzoidis, Michalis Iatropoulos where the misunderstanding Lambropoulos & Dionyssis Samiotis all desire the same man? This love Cast: Giannis Tsimitselis, Zeta Makripoulia COMEDY

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S.E.X Elias Of The 16th Precinct (Σούλα Έλα Ξανά) (Ο Ηλίας του 16ου) dir: Vasilis Mirianthopoulos dir: Nikos Zapatinas

As its cheeky acronym title where Soula works as a teacher. About the Director Alekos Sakellarios’ much-loved film and entering, Elias will be disguised About the Director suggests, S.E.X is an irreverent wink A test will help her make her Born in Piraeus in 1965, Vasilis from 1959, based on a play by as a police officer – for security Born in Athens, Nikos Zapatinas at contemporary Greek life, as seen final choice, but things get a Mirianthopoulos is an established Sakellarios-Giannakopoulous, gets reasons, of course. Hilarity ensues studied maths (Aristoteleion through the eyes of a blonde, little complicated... theatre artist. He studied theatre a working over for a whole new as this comedy of errors sends their University of Thessaloniki), cinema (P. Katseli Drama School, Peiraikos (Paris III) and music in various buxom and beautiful Cretan, Soula Evoking the ebullience and generation, proving good humour plan spiralling off in a totally Saribougiouki; the kind of girl Syndesmos Drama School), never dates. different direction. academies. He has directed matrimonial conundrums of painting (G. Bournazakis) and television series, documentaries who’s been wearing Chanel No.19 Mamma Mia, this feel-good film dance (Zozo Nikoloudi, Giannis Elias of the 16th Precinct follows and films, includingFeedback since her teen years. will leave your toes tapping and Metsis, Konrad Bukes), and works three friends – Elias, Thomas and Greek with English subtitles (1974), Nannies (1979) and Greece | 2008 | 90mins | DVD as a director, actor, dancer and Bonus (2001). Single by choice, Soula receives a smile on your face. Vangelis – who face considerable Written by: Katia Kissonergi some unexpected gifts for her 30th choreographer. He made his financial hurdles with their debts Produced by: Odeon/CL Productions feature film directorial debut in birthday: four proposals of marriage. Greek with English subtitles rivalling the size of Everest. They Cast: Petros Filippidis, Thanassis 2008 with Just Broken Up, which Tsaltabassis, Kostas Apostolakis, Tasos Kostis What’s even more surprising is she Greece | 2009 | 85mins | Digibeta decide the only solution is to Written by: Vasilis Mirianthopoulos also screens at this festival. decides to accept one. Her three & Olga Michalopoulou snatch money from Vangelis’ boss, aunts are thrilled. Her two friends Produced by: Nikos Hasid, Manos Krezias, Labros ; a cafeteria owner, rush to help her. And the four Kostas Lambropoulos & Dionyssis Samiotis pawnbroker and fence. While Cast: Zeta Makripoulia, Maria Androutsou, candidate grooms head to Spetses Fedra Drouka, Mina Adamaki Thomas will attempt the breaking COMEDY DOCUMENTARIES

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Schoolwave The Lovers Bombing on the Rocks from Axos dir: Aggelos Athanasopoulos dir: Alexandros (Οι Εραστές της Αξού) & Dimitri Nikolopoulos Grammatopoulos dir: Nicos Ligouris A street documentary, Bombing Rock, metal, pop, hip-hop, punk, ska tracks the everyday life of Thodoris, and traditional… Over the past five Filmmaker Nicos Ligouris Vangelis, Thomas and Giannis years, a three-day, annual music happened upon the subject of his (aka. Jef82), Mr Phaz, Eversor and festival known as ‘Schoolwave’ has documentary by chance. Travelling JK-1 – hip-hop graffiti artists and collected together students from in the mountains of Crete, he met self-proclaimed “correspondents of First Time Godfather the remotest corners of Greece in 73 year-old Jorgos who guided him events”. Their daily quest sends Athens. Documentary-makers through a Byzantine chapel on them through Athens searching for descended on the amazing Mount Ida. Jorgos also offered to right colours, true rhymes and the (Πρώτη Φορά Νονός) Theatro Vrahon (theatre on the show him something more adventure of ‘bombing’. beautiful: his 69 year-old wife, rocks) in 2008 to capture the “We like bombing, the illegal. Legal dir: Olga Malea Maria, working at her loom. frenzied rhythms of these talented graffiti doesn’t express how we feel music students on stage, as well as Ligouris immortalises the love that and we don’t want it.” - Jef82 This hilarious tale dives into Greek political wrangling, existential About the Director the electricity and anticipation binds Jorgos and Maria; a love that culture with the same abundant distresses and tragicomic Olga Malea had an unusual back-stage. has deepened over 55 years. But Greek with English subtitles humour as My Big Fat Greek situations. Alex’s first initiation in experience for a Greek filmmaker. something clouds their happiness: Greece | 2009 | 27mins | Digibeta Her first feature film, a comedy Written by: Aggelos Athanasopoulos Wedding, but with a realistic edge the art and tricks of politics will Greek with English subtitles Jorgos is ill and could die any minute. Producers: Aggelos Athanasopoulos due to its basis on an autobiographical mark him for the rest of his life. about coming of age in the Greek Greece | 2008 | 43mins | Digibeta “I thought to myself that I could & Myrto Boutsi short story by Nikos Papandreou, countryside, entitled The Cow’s Written & produced by: Schooligans Orgasm, created a stir at Greek box not, and did, not want to explain son of a former Greek prime minister. Check website for changes to this offices within days of its release. In film’s classification. the secret of their love. But I could Raised in America, 11 year-old Alex the following months, it proceeded chronicle it, steal individual Greek and English language to outsell every other Greek film in travels to Crete to step in for his with English subtitles moments in their lives, which at recent history. politician father at a local Greece | 2007 | 86mins | 35mm first seem unspectacular, but on christening. His foreign looks, his Written by: Olga Malea & Nikos Papandreou Olga Malea was born in Athens, closer inspection are magical.” Producers: Manos Krezia & Dionyssis Samiotis Greece, in 1960. She studied Law difficulty with the Greek language, - Nicos Ligouris Cast: Antonis Kafetzopoulos, Eleni Kastani, at Athens University (LL.M.) and the Cretans’ particularities and the Giorgos Kimoulis, Tex Pardue Psychology (Ph.D.) at Yale. Her first tests he’s forced to endure to be three features became instant Greek with English subtitles accepted as the worthy son of the box-office hits in Greece. Greece/Germany | 2008 | 80mins | Digibeta Written & produced by: Nicos Ligouris leader culminate in a comedy with SHORTS

26 Mona Lisa dir: Sotiris Dounoukos 27 Mona Lisa is Sotiris Dounoukos’ graduating film from the Victorian College of the Arts, and winner of Best Student Production at the 53rd Melbourne International Film Festival. Over a single night in their suburban home, widow Helen and her only child, George (aged 34), play out a volatile family ritual as they struggle with the intensity and intimacy of their co-dependent lives. English language | Australia | 2003 | 14mins | Digibeta Cast: Steve Mouzakis, Irini Pappas

This year we are Spike Up 2007 AFI Award, Best Short Fiction Film Bombshell dir: Kim Farrant proud to present a dir: Anthony Maras A loaded bombshell is thrown into the laps of two Greek-Australian brothers selection of short forcing them to question their traditional beliefs and machismo identities as Family, friendship and drug mules are inextricably entwined in men. George and Yianni are ‘blokey’ in the extreme sense of the word – men’s films from Greek- this sobering meditation on police ethics and responsibilities, men – but when their father is hospitalised after a brutal bashing, their family façade and the backbone of their masculinity comes crashing to the ground. Australian filmakers in the tradition of Serpico and Blue Murder. An encounter with a drug-addled Aboriginal, his wife’s infidelities and an old English language | Australia | 2008 | 29mins | DVD or films dealing with Cast: Paul Pantano, Ashley Lyons, Tony Nikolakopoulos, Zoe Carides friend’s dark secret leaves a cop wrestling with a crisis of Greek subject matter conscience, warping his previously straight-edged moral code. and characters. English language | Australia | 2007 | 29mins | Digibeta Cast: Roy Billing, Marcus Graham, Lisa Flanagan, Louisa Mignone

Pontos dir: Peter Stefanidis Filmmaker Peter Stefanidis uses the Pontian genocide of 1919 to provide a searing insight into soul-blinding hatred, redemption and then resolution. A Pontian farmer suffers an attack by a Turkish soldier that kicks off a catastrophic chain of events. “Pontos manages in a few minutes what Hollywood blockbusters cannot achieve in grinding hours.” - Neos Kosmos English language | Australia | 2008 | 10mins | Digibeta Cast: Lee Mason, Ross Black, Michele Cele, Tara Ross

Paper And Sand dir: Sotiris Dounoukos An evocative exploration of love and freedom, Paper and Sand introduces Bahram and Samira who, after a year in immigration detention, are on their way to a new home with relatives in country New South Wales. As they bide their time saving money by the beach in Sydney, their different concepts of what home might be become glaringly apparent. English language | Australia | 2005 | 17mins | Digibeta Cast: Eddy Ariya, Arezo Behdasht, Callum McInerney Partners National Partners Top quality handcrafted beers

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