WELCOME Greeks invented everything! 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 Greece, 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.