14 OCTOBER 1 NOVEMBER Palace Norton Street 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt. greekfilmfestival.com.au

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1 14 OCTOBER 1 NOVEMBER 2015 Palace Norton Street 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt greekfilmfestival.com.au

2 2015 GFF COMMITTEE Harry Danalis (President of the GOC of NSW), Michael Tsilimos (Secretary of the GOC of NSW), Samantha Andronikos, Panagiota Avramidis, Billy Cotsis, Ula George, Olympia Houliaras, Themis Kallos, John Karavitis, Dimitra Lafazanos, Vicky Mitsios, Manolis Plantzos, Dr Alfred Vincent SPECIAL THANKS Aleena Glentis, Penny Kyprianou, Jorge Menidis, Costas Markos, Liza Linardou at the Greek Film Centre, the curators of the Greek-Australian Short Film Festival: Stella Dimadis, Jim Koutsoukos and Katerina Kotsonis, Elleni Comino, Dimitri Mavromatis, Dave Caffery, Peter Ppiros. Proudly presenting the 22nd Greek Film Festival. Hellenic film at it s finest. Delphi Bank A Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN AFSL / Australian Credit Licence THANKS TO OUR VENUE PARTNER PALACE CINEMAS Antonio Zeccola and family, Kim Petalas, Marcus Fenson, Genevieve Kelly and the front of house staff. All information correct at time of printing. Changes may occur so please visit greekfilmfestival.com.au for all the latest information. 2 2 N D G R E E K F I L M F E S T I VA L NATIONAL NETWORK CO-ORDINATORS Penny Kyprianou and Aleena Glentis PROGRAM EDITORS Bakewood ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Studio Bauhaus FESTIVAL TRAILER Stationary Movement WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT Mecca Medialight PUBLICITY Asha Holmes Publicity GREEK TRANSLATIONS Kypros Kyprianou 6 Opening Night: Alex & Eve 7 Closing Night: Zorba the Greek 53 Special Events 54 Ticketing & Venue Information 56 Screening Schedule FEATURES 8 7 Kinds of Wrath 9 Amore Mio 10 Family Member 11 Fan 12 Forget Me Not 13 Love Struck 14 Magic Men 16 Out of the Blue 17 Riverbanks 18 The Sentimentalists 19 Wednesday 04:45 ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 20 Introduction 22 The Slap That Came From Paradise 23 Madalena 24 Ace of Spades 25 Lady and the Tramp 26 The Fairy and the Man DOCUMENTARIES GREEK DOCUMENTARIES 28 Agora: From Democracy to the Market 29 Burning from the Inside 30 Sam Roma: We Are Gypsies AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARIES 31 A Family Affair 32 Family 33 Fields to Dream / Homesong GREEK-AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIAN SHORTS / Addicted 37 Dacryphilia / Heidi Fires Everyone 38 Hit / Jimmy & Douglas 39 Lean / Swinger 40 Theano / This Feral Life 41 Wog / Yia Yia INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 44 A Beacon in Havana / Cure 45 Lift to Move / Minotaur 46 My Stuffed Granny / Spectrum 47 Straw Dolls / The Church at Ground Zero 48 Volta / White Sheet 51 5th Greek Student Film Festival CREDITS & CONTENTS FESTIVAL CHAIR Nia Karteris FESTIVAL DIRECTOR Pamela Proestos 3

3 SPONSORS THE IS AN INITIATIVE OF FESTIVAL PARTNERS PROUDLY PRESENTED BY PLATINUM SPONSOR As we enter the 22nd year of the Greek Film Festival, we look back at Greece s rich cinematic history with a very special retrospective, while looking forward at the wonderful films coming out of the nation today. We are especially excited this year to launch the program with our Opening Night film Alex and Eve, the film adaptation of the play by the same name, which we ve watched grow into a massive success over the years. The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW enthusiastically supported the play in its entire run and we eagerly look forward to seeing its evolution to the silver screen. WELCOME MESSAGE CULTURAL SUPPORTERS One to delight film lovers of all ages is our nostalgia-inducing Aliki Vougiouklaki Retrospective. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we bring the darling of the Golden Age of Greek cinema back to the big screen, highlighting five of the best films from her illustrious career. Along with the classics, the program also includes the very best of contemporary Greek cinema. Get ready to immerse yourself in Greece s finest cinematic offerings, with the award-winning films Love Struck, Wednesday 04:45 and Magic Men. GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS As we watch Greece go through an interesting time in its political history, we re also seeing the country s filmmakers react and respond with innovative and thoughtprovoking documentaries. Agora: From Democracy to the Market offers a profoundly interesting and blistering look at today s Greece and is absolutely unmissable viewing. BRONZE SPONSORS NATIONAL MEDIA PARTNERS FESTIVAL SUPPORTERS STATE MEDIA PARTNERS Such an incredibly rich and diverse program would not be possible were it not for the support and passion of our sponsors, especially Delphi Bank, whose investment is a testament to their enthusiasm to assist us in keeping Greek culture alive in Australia. Special thanks to other long time sponsors who continue to support us every year and make our events possible: St George Graphics and Printers, Emirates, George s Mediterranean Bar and Grill, Premier Northpak, Confeta, M&J Chickens, Ronis Real Estate and Universal Hotels. This year, we are also incredibly fortunate to welcome several new sponsors: AJB Stevens Lawyers, Sealand Birk, Euro Funeral Services, Loux, Homer St, Athena Cakes, Encore Productions and Mythos Beer. A huge thank you to our national and state media partners Antenna Pacific, SBS Greek Radio, Meraki TV, 2mm and O Kosmos. Thank you also to the Palace Cinemas team and their tireless efforts behind the scenes to bring to you this wonderful selection of Greek features, shorts and documentaries. Come along and enjoy all the cinematic treats in this year s line-up. We ll see you at the cinema! Mr Harry Danalis Ms Nia Karteris President Festival Chair 4 Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Greek Festival of Sydney 5

4 CLOSING NIGHT OPENING NIGHT ALEX & EVE DIR. PETER ANDRIKIDIS SPECIAL EVENT SEE PAGE 53 FOR DETAILS ZORBA THE GREEK DIR. MICHAEL CACOYANNIS SPECIAL EVENT SEE PAGE 53 FOR DETAILS A hit Australian stage play turns big screen sensation in this World Premiere event. This year s Opening Night film will have your hearts dancing in an up-swell of romance and comedy. A feelgood Australian story about dating in a multicultural landscape, Alex & Eve brings us a little closer to home Sydney s inner west where a relationship blooms of an unwanted nature. Alex (Richard Brancatisano) is a 30 year old Greek Australian whose parents want him to marry a good Greek girl. But Alex has fallen in love with Eve (Andrea Demetriades), a Lebanese Muslim woman. Like oil and water, the two should never mix but how can they stop themselves from falling in love? Written by Alex Lykos and based on his play of the same name, Alex & Eve delivers all the warmth and humour of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and then takes it to the next level. Uproarious performances by Tony Nikolakopoulos and Zoe Carides as Alex s indignant parents are the icing on this delicious cinematic cake. Ο Αλέξης είναι ένας λεβέντης 30χρονος Ελληνοαυστραλός τον οποίον οι γονείς τους προορίζουν για μία καλή Ελληνίδα. Ο Αλέξης όμως ερωτεύεται, την Εύα, μία Λιβανέζα, Μουσουλμάνα. Όπως το νερό με το λάδι που δεν μπορούν να σμίξουν, έτσι και ο Αλέξης με την Εύα, κανονικά, δεν θα έπρεπε να ερωτευτούν. Πώς θα μπορούσαν όμως να αποφύγουν τον έρωτά τους; AUSTRALIA 2015 COMEDY/ROMANCE 92 MIN ENGLISH CAST: RICHARD BRANCATISANO, ANDREA DEMETRIADES, TONY NIKOLAKOPOULOS The Delphi Bank 22nd Greek Film Festival concludes on a climactic high with a beloved classic that will have audiences jumping in the aisles for joy. Anthony Quinn gives the performance of a lifetime as Zorba, a gruff and gregarious musician who befriends an uptight Anglo-Greek writer (Alan Bates) travelling through Crete to claim a small inheritance and cure his writer s block. With Zorba tagging along for the ride, the young Englishman s eyes are opened to the earthy pleasures of Greece in a way that is life changing. Winner of three Academy Awards, Zorba the Greek was a feelgood smash on its release, and the origin of many Greek stereotypes. How can anyone not imitate Quinn s famous dance finale when they hear the strains of Mikis Theodorakis iconic song? If ever the abundance of life force in man has been poured forth on the screen and, goodness knows, many efforts to do so have been made over the years it is done in the brilliant performance given by Anthony Quinn in the title role of Zorba the Greek. New York Times. Ο Anthony Quinn, στο ρόλο της ζωής του ως Ζορμπάς, υποδύεται έναν τραχύ μουσικό που αναζητεί πάντοτε κάποια συντροφιά και ο οποίος φιλεύει με κάποιον νευρωτικό Αγγλο-Έλληνα συγγραφέα που ταξιδεύει στην Κρήτη για να διεκδικήσει μια μικρή κληρονομιά και να ξαναβρεί τον παλιό του εαυτό, ως συγγραφέας. GREECE 1964 GENRE 142 MIN ENGLISH CAST: ANTHONY QUINN, ALAN BATES, IRENE PAPAS, LILA KEDROVA, SOTIRIS MOUSTAKAS 6 7

5 FEATURE FILMS FEATURE FILMS 7 KINDS OF WRATH AMORE MIO 7 Θυμοί DIR. CHRISTOS VOUPOURAS DIR. CHRISTOS DIMAS A hypnotic, existentialist view of relationships a man convinced that love doesn t exist. The greatest war of all = The War of the Sexes. Petros (Maximos Moumouris) is a desk-bound archaeologist regrouping after the disintegration of a long-term relationship. Consequently, his views of romance and love have been significantly coloured by his experiences, and not for the better. Through the prism of a multicultural Athens, Petros disillusionment sees him cross paths with a diverse array of people of varying sexualities and cultural backgrounds: Husam (Nikos Gkelia), Laertes (Haris Fragkoulis) and Migen (Kora Kouvani) second generation Albanian immigrants relying heavily on Petros to facilitate their big break; Daneel (Ieronimos Kaletsanos), a banker who sees only commodities, not people; and Michael (Vasilis Xenikakis), a police patrolman with a unconventional take on reality and imagination. Through his sumptuous black & white lens, filmmaker Christos Voupouras offers an engaging treatise on love, sexuality, faith, relationships and migration that is sure to provide much conversational debate post-screening. Ο Πέτρος, ένας αρχαιολόγος, προσπαθεί να ξαναβρεί τη ζωή του ύστερα από τη διάλυση ενός μακρόχρονου δεσμού. Η αποηγοήτευσή του τον φέρνει σε επαφή με διάφορους Αθηναίους, με διαφορετικές πεποιθήσεις και αρχές. Θα μπορέσει, άραγε, αυτή η πολύμορφη παρέα, να του αλλάξει την κυνική του στάση για τον έρωτα; GREECE 2014 DRAMA 114 MIN GREEK/ARABIC WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: MAXIMOS MOUMOURIS, NIKOS GKELIA, SOFIA KOKKALI, HARIS FRAGKOULIS, IERONIMOS KALETSANOS, KORA KARVOUNI, VASILIS XENIKAKIS Italian box office smash Men Vs Women (2010) gets some Greek seasoning in this equally hilarious and cheeky remake. A tapestry of four gender-dominated stories intertwine: the extramarital shenanigans of a volleyball coach, two best friends falling in love with the same gorgeous girl, a powerful yet totally mismatched coupling of two vastly different people, and the post-divorce quest for a second chance at love and life. Wounded hearts, unfulfilled dreams, unexpected casualties anything goes when romance is the order of the day. What you can expect, though, are lots of laughs, lots of love, lots of sexiness and lots of fun. Τέσσερις δαφορετικές ιστορίες καταπιάνονται με την εξωσυζυγική σχέση ενός προπονητή πετόσφαιρας, τον έρωτα δύο φίλων με το ίδιο κορίτσι, τον προβληματικό δεσμό δύο διαφορετικών ανθρώπων και την προσπάθεια ενός διαζευγμένου για μια δεύτερη ευκαιρία. GREECE 2015 COMEDY/ROMANCE 95 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: FANIS MOURATIDIS, IOANNA TRIANTAFYLLIDOU, NATALIA TSALIKI, MYRTO ALIKAKI 8 9

6 FEATURE FILMS FEATURE FILMS FAMILY MEMBER Μέλος Οικογενείας DIR. MARINOS KARTIKKIS FAN Ανεμιστήρας DIR. DIMITRIS BITOS If they find out he s dead, they will cancel the pension We will be one big happy family. Right, Dad? Right, Mum? An average Cypriot family sail into murky ethical waters in an effort to stay financially afloat in this alarmingly all-too familiar drama. Υiorgos and Sophia are trying hard to cope with the financial needs of their family of four. Since the family business a small grocery store fails to provide them with enough income, the grandfather chips in with a share of his pension. But then, suddenly, grandfather dies in his sleep. The desperate family choose to hide his death in order to continue collecting his pension, even when social security are knocking on their door Leavened with some dark comedic elements, Family Member shines a light on a serious issue while also tugging the heartstrings with its touching relationship between the young family and the old man they claim as their own. Ο Γιώργος και η Σοφία, βασιζόμενοι στη σύνταξη του παππού τους, έχουν ένα μικρό παντοπωλείο. Όταν όμως ο παππούς πεθαίνει, στην απελπισία της η οικογένεια κρύβει το θάνατο του παππού για να συνεχίσει να καρπούται τη σύνταξή του. CYPRUS 2015 DRAMA/COMEDY 105 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: YIOLA KLITOU, CHRISTOPHER GRECO, NTORA MAKRIGIANNI An incendiary psychological thriller, Fan opens with 11 year-old Lemonia (Danai Androulaki) holding a hand grenade and holding court over her mother (Irini Drakou) and father (Giorgos Valais). After enduring their ceaseless fighting, she is a child on the edge. Through flashbacks, we see the events uncomfortable silences punctuated with bouts of rage that have escalated to this point. We also embark on the strangest family vacation ever where Lemonia acts as a tyrannical director and her parents as her cast. In his distinctive way, filmmaker Dimitris Bitos turns childhood vengeance into stark neorealist poetry simultaneously offering the most poignant answer to the cruelty and selfishness that rule the adult world (Athens International Film Festival). The filming is blunt. My goal is for the actors performances to shine unhurriedly through the serenity that only cinematographic time may construe. Dimitris Bitos. Ένα ψυχολογικό θρίλερ, με πρωταγωνιστή ένα 11χρονο κορίτσι που έφτασε στα όριά του από τους συνεχείς καυγάδες των δικών του και που στην απόγνωσή του τους κρατά όμηρους με μια χειροβομβίδα στο χέρι. GREECE 2014 DRAMA 87 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: DANAI ANDROULAKI, GIORGOS VALAIS, IRINI DRAKOU 10 THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

7 FEATURE FILMS FEATURE FILMS FORGET ME NOT DIR. YANNIS FAGRAS LOVE STRUCK Από Έρωτα DIR. THODORIS ATHERIDIS A film that will most probably go on exasperating some and intriguing others. Senses of Cinema. Essentially a Heart of Darkness mission at sea that sees a Greek woman chasing her lover to the ends of the Earth, Forget Me Not is a simple story told with powerful resonance. While living in New Orleans, Alex (Yannis Stankoglou) receives a message from Daphne (Aliki Danezi-Knutsen), a former paramour in Greece, igniting his desire to return home. But the opportunity to make a small fortune on a mysterious diving job in the Bering Straights sees him make a diversion that derails these plans. Filmed primarily aboard a small boat in the Bering Sea and in the actual locations of the North Pacific and Alaska, the film unveils a world of mythic proportions thanks to the 35mm cinematography of Panagiotis Salapatas. The filmmakers show us a vast and desolate world from magnificent snow-capped mountains to the mighty menace of the ocean a world that both unites and separates the couple, magnifying and fulfilling their yearning.. Ο Αλέξης που ζει στη Νέα Ορλεάνη, παίρνει ένα μήνυμα από έναν παλιό του έρωτα, τη Δάφνη, που του γεννά την επιθυμία του γυρισμού.η ευκαιρία όμως για να πλουτίσει με μια επιχείρηση καταδύσεων εκτροχιάζει τα σχέδιά του. GREECE 2014 COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE 104 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: THODORIS ATHERIDIS, SMARAGDA KARYDI, PANAYIOTA VLANTI A romantic parable that packs in as many laughs as it does emotional punches. Shot against the leafy suburbs and twilight ports of Athens, Thodoris Atheridis adapts and stars in an accomplished and absorbing cinematic version of his own stage play of the same name. In it, he is Antonis (Thodoris Atheridis), a firefighter living in Piraeus. On the eve of his wedding to Natassa (Panagiota Vlanti), an old flame, Anna (Smaragda Karydis), suddenly arrives on his doorstep. As the former lovers reconnect, it becomes clear they still have feelings for each other but Antonis is unwilling to call off his impending nuptials. The plot takes an unexpected twist leading Antonis on an outlandish journey of laughs, love and heartbreak. Thanks to an undeniably dangerous onscreen chemistry between Atheridis and Karydis, Love Struck was the runaway choice for winner of the Audience Award at this year s Hellenic Film Academy Awards. Την ημέρα του γάμου τού Αντώνη, παρουσιάζεται μπροστά του ένας παλιός του έρωτας, η Άννα. Παρόλο που η συνάντηση ξυπνά ανάμεσά τους τον παλιό τους έρωτα, ο Αντώνης αποφασίζει να προχωρήσει με το γάμο του. GREECE 2014 COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE 104 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: THODORIS ATHERIDIS, SMARAGDA KARYDI, PANAYIOTA VLANTI 12 13

8 FEATURE FILMS 14 MAGIC MEN DIR. GUY NATTIV & EREZ TADMOR You won t be able to shake the feeling that someone really made an effort to better understand the basic core of what makes us humans. Telavivian In this cross-cultural pilgrimage, a 78 year-old Greek Holocaust survivor (Makram Khoury) and his Hasidic rapper son (Zohar Shtrauss) embark on a road trip from Israel to Greece in search of a magician who saved the father s life during World War II. Both father and son have been estranged for many years so the journey is fraught with tension, opening old wounds and seeing them in all manner of absurd situations. Oddly enough, a Greek prostitute (Ariane Labed) proves instrumental in bridging the seemingly gargantuan gap in their relationship. As its title suggests, Magic Men is full of magic moments, both heartfelt and comedic. Throughout it all, the notion of returning to the homeland and the beautiful Thessaloniki landscape will resonate thematically for many who see it. Nominated for four Israeli Academy Awards, including a much-deserved win of Best Actor for Makram Khoury. Ο Αβραάμ, που επέζησε του Ελληνικού ολοκαυτώματος, ξεκινά με το γιό του ένα ταξίδι, από το Ισραήλ προς την Ελλάδα για να ανακαλύψει τον άνθρωπο, έναν ταχυδακτυλουργό, που έσωσε τη ζωή του πατέρα του κατά το Β Παγκόσμιο πόλεμο. GREECE/ISRAEL 2014 COMEDY/DRAMA 100 MIN HEBREW/GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: ARIANE LABED, MAKRAM KHOURY, ZOHAR SHTRAUSS PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2014 Georges Mediterranean Bar & Grill The Promenade, King Street Wharf georgesrestaurant.com.au Open 7 days, lunch and dinner

9 FEATURE FILMS FEATURE FILMS OUT OF THE BLUE Στα Kαλά Kαθούμενα RIVERBANKS Όχθες DIR. NIKOS ZAPATINAS DIR. PANOS KARKANEVATOS The finest traditions of road movies and romantic comedies marry in this chaotic example of how things can just happen. A gripping tale of love and survival that will have you on tenterhooks until its final, suspenseful moments. Babis (Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos) life is thrown into chaos after the beautiful Athena (Zeta Makrypoulia) comes crashing in on one eventful evening. With everything in ruins, the two take to the road where their adventures become entwined with Eva (Anna-Maria Papaharalambous), a woman who has run away from home. A river acts as the border between Greece and Turkey but more pointedly as a deadly minefield. One sapper, Yannis (Andreas Constantinou from GFF14 s Opening Night feature, Little England) holds a reputation for rooting out mines in a way machines cannot replicate. He is a lone kamikaze with no loved ones to hold him back. Babis, Athena and Eva a journey comes filled with twists, turns, quirky characters and surprises at every point including a piano filled with hidden treasure, a fortune in search of an heir, a faithless fiancée, the police, a mysterious monastery and a couple of bullseyes from Cupid s arrows. Written and directed by stalwart of Greek television and feature film Nikos Zapatinas, Out Of The Blue doesn t fail to warm the heart and leave a big smile on the face. Η ζωή του Πάμπη γίνεται κομμάτια όταν μια νύχτα η όμορφη Αθηνά κάνει δυστύχημα. Με τη ζωή τους κομματιασμένη ξεκινούν μια πορεία γεμάτη σπαρταριστικές περιπέτειες. Chryssa (Elena Mavridou) is a single mother, also caring for a father and brother, who helps the children of illegal immigrants cross the river, sometimes successfully. In Yannis, she finds a kindred spirit challenging death and, for him, he gains an instant family. But is theirs a world doomed to destruction when Chryssa s thug boss, also the father of her child, tries to track the couple on the run? In Riverbanks, actor Andreas Constantinou consolidates his position as one of Greece s most exciting new stars. His chemistry with Mavridou ensures the screen sizzles, aided and abetted by a plot that builds momentum in a riveting slow burn. Στα σύνορα Ελλάδας και Τουρκίας ένα ποτάμι είναι γεμάτο με νάρκες. Όταν ο Γιάννης, ένας στρατιώτης, συναντά τη Χρύσα η οποία βοηθά παιδιά παράνομων μεταναστών να περάσουν το ποτάμι, οι δυο τους ανακαλύπτουν πως κάτι βαθύ τους συνδέει. 16 GREECE 2014 COMEDY 92 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ODYSSEAS PAPASPILIOPOULOS, ZETA MAKRYPOULIA GREECE/TURKEY/GERMANY/FRANCE 2015 DRAMA 96 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: ANDREAS KONSTANTINOU, ELENA MAVRIDOU, LEVENT UZUMCO 17

10 FEATURE FILMS 18 THE SENTIMENTALISTS WEDNESDAY 04:45 Οι Αισθηματίες Τετάρτη 04:45 DIR. NICHOLAS TRIANDAFYLLIDIS The much-anticipated return to directing of Nicholas Triandafyllidis after selfimposed exile. In this modern-day film noir with all the essential elements of Greek tragedy, Yannis (Haris Fragoulis) and Hermes (Dimitris Lalos) are standover men working as enforcers for someone identified as The Master (Takis Moshos). The Master s wealth comes from (and, quite likely, is not limited to) dealing antiques in the black market. When Yannis falls for an escort (Eftyhia Giakoumi) who has an equally ruthless and dangerous pimp managing her affairs and Hermes falls for The Master s Lolita-like daughter (Ilianna Mavromati) both seem destined to pay a heavy price if sentimentality overrules the demands of the business. Dark and gritty, but with a slight comic edge at times, The Sentimentalists boasts a score comprising a wealth of traditional Greek musical favourites, and a host of cameos from some of Greece s most recognisable cinema industry insiders. Ο Γιάννης και ο Ερμής δουλεύουν για έναν έμπορο της μαύρης αγοράς με το όνομα «Ο Μάστρος». Όταν όμως ο Γιάννης μπλέκει με μίαν ερωτική συνοδό και ο Ερμής ερωτεύεται την κόρη του αφεντικού, και οι δυο δυστυχώς θα πληρώσουν πολύ ακριβά τις συναισθηματικές τους επιλογές. GREECE 2014 GENRE 94 MIN ENGLISH AND GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: TAKIS MOSHOS, DIMITRIS LALOS, HARIS FRAGOULIS, ILIANNA MAVROMATI, EFTYHIA GIAKOUMI, ATHINA PAPPA, ANTONIS SPINOULAS, BLAINE L RENNER DIR. ALEXIS ALEXIOU Running a jazz club can be murder. The Hollywood Reporter Take a dive into the Athenian underworld and organised crime machinations with Wednesday 04:45, a distinctly mesmeric noir nail-biter. Stelios (Stelios Mainas) dream of running a jazz club is crumbling as Greece s economic slowdown takes its toll. Owing a fortune to a local standover man the hulking The Romanian (Mimi Branescu) who is also feeling the financial pinch Stelios is on the brink of financial ruin. The Romanian decides it is time to call in what is owed. In full. With less than 48 hours to save his club and his family, Stelios has until 04:45 on Wednesday morning to come up with the money. Punctuated by a 60s Greek pop music soundtrack and visually striking pools of light and colour, filmmaker Alexis Alexiou has created a John-Woo-meets-Michael Mann fullthrottle thriller exploring the lengths good men will go in their most desperate hours. Ο Στέλιος έχει ένα μαγαζί τζάζ στην Αθήνα, αλλά τα βρίσκει δύσκολα με την οικονομική κατάσταση των ημερών, αφού χρωστά, σε έναν αδίστακτο τραπεζίτη, μια περιουσία ολόκληρη. Ο Στέλιος έχει λιγότερες από 48 ώρες για να σώσει το μαγαζί του και την οικογένειά του. GREECE/ISRAEL/GERMANY 2015 CRIME/THRILLER 117 MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: STELIOS MAINAS, GIORGOS SYMEONIDIS TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2015 FEATURE FILMS 19

11 ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 20 THE GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN HAIR: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI Never let anything bad come out of your mouth about Aliki Vougiouklaki. She stands for all our innocences. Composer Manos Hatzidakis Her fame exploded like fellow blonde bombshells Monroe, Bardot and Andress, yet she remained unrecognisable to the English-speaking world. She had the sass and curves that made grown men cry, yet she was never asked to play a Bond girl. She was and still is the darling of Greek stage and screen, yet many can t pronounce her name... Aliki Vougiouklaki (Aleeeki Voo-yoo-klaaki) was considered the National Star of Greece, the single most successful Greek actress since the advent of cinema. Port Magazine described her as the Greek everything: massively loved and an outrageously versatile film star/theatre diva/singing star/comedienne/sex symbol/ nostalgia symbol/national symbol. Her leading roles included that of a unifying post- WWII and Civil War force, and one of the seminal shining lights of The Golden Age of Greek Cinema (1950s and 1960s). Echoing the rags to riches tale of many of her characters, Aliki was born into poverty in 1934 in the town of Marousi, the daughter of a murdered governor. She secretly enrolled in the National Theatre Drama School in Athens at age 18 and, by her early 20s, was receiving rave reviews. Laurence Olivier was even a fan of her stage acting. By the time of her death from pancreatic cancer in 1996 at age 62, she had appeared in 42 films and TV programs, made a nation swoon with her love affairs, and ensured her name would be indelibly etched in the Greek consciousness forever. She is Aliki Vougiouklaki. If I die tomorrow, the exact same thing that has happened to Marilyn Monroe in the US will happen to me The moment she died, scenes from her movies were spliced together and everybody said, Look, what an amazing phenomenon, what a great actress she was. Aliki Vougiouklaki (1976) ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 21

12 ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 22 THE SLAP THAT CAME FROM PARADISE MADALENA Το Ξύλο Βγήκε Από Τον Παράδεισο (1959) Μανταλένα (1960) DIR. ALEKOS SAKELLARIOS The burgeoning real-life Burton-Taylor romance of Vougiouklaki and Papamichael plucked at the heartstrings of a nation in this To Sir with Love-like tale. Maintaining the same sparkling humour today as it did on its release more than half a century ago, The Slap That Came From Paradise is arguably the film that catapulted a 25-year-old Aliki from actress to national screen idol. A young teacher, Floras (Dimitris Papamichael), arrives on campus at an all girls high school in Athens. As he attempts to impose some discipline on his unruly class of wealthy and spoilt teens, a battle of wills ensues. The girls employ a range of tactics to get rid of the new guy. With the warring parties at loggerheads, the most undisciplined of all the girls Lisa (Aliki Vougiouklaki) begins to fall head-overheels in love with her teacher nemesis. Featuring a captivating soundtrack by the legendary Manos Hatzidakis, and showcasing Vougiouklaki at her cheeky best, this was the first opportunity to see the on-screen chemistry of a future husband and wife powerhouse. Ένας νεαρός καθηγητής διορίζεται σε ένα Γυμνάσιο Θηλέων, στην Αθήνα, και προσπαθεί να επιβάλει πειθαρχία σε μια τάξη με κακομαθημένα και ανυπάκουα κορίτσια. Το πιο ανυπάκουο από όλα τα κορίτσια, η Λίζα, ερωτεύεται παράφορα τον νεαρό καθηγητή με όλα τα συνεπακόλουθα. GREECE 1959 COMEDY/ROMANCE 98 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI, DIMITRIS PAPAMICHAEL, DIONYSIS PAPAGIANNOPOULOS DIR. DINOS DIMOPOULOS Vougiouklaki sparks again on-screen with Dimitris Papamichael, while commencing a professional love affair with filmmaker Dinos Dimopoulos in arguably her best dramatic performance. In order to support her siblings when her father suddenly passes away, Madalena (Aliki Vougiouklaki) takes over the running of his inter-island ferry business. However, the small and staunchly conservative island community does not approve and they shift their support to the family s competitor. Undaunted by prejudice, Madalena powers on, determined to prove them wrong. As the financial pressures mount, a burgeoning love for the son of the rival ferry owner (Dimitris Papamichael) complicates matters. Madalena is faced with a choice: ensure her family s security by entering into a loveless, arranged marriage or risk everything to keep her independence and father s legacy alive. A heart-warming conundrum of love versus duty, Madalena features stunning cinematography by Walter Lassaly that documents the timeless beauty of the Agean, and an emblematic music score by Manos Hatzidakis. Ύστερα από τον ξαφνικό θάνατο του πατέρα της, η Μανταλένα αναλαμβάνει τις επιχειρήσεις του, σε καράβια, που άφησε πίσω του. Ο έρωτας όμως με τον γιο ενός ανταγωνιστή, στις ίδιες επιχειρήσεις, περιπλέκει την υπόθεση. GREECE 1960 COMEDY/DRAMA/MUSICAL 91 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI, DIMITRIS PAPAMICHALI, PANTELIS ZERVOS ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 23

13 ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 24 ACE OF SPADES LADY AND THE TRAMP Το Δόλωμα (1964) Η Αρχόντισσα Και Ο Αλήτης (1968) DIR. ALEKOS SAKELLARIOS SPECIAL EVENT SEE PAGE 53 FOR DETAILS One of the more risqué films ever made by Vougiouklaki a sexier version of My Fair Lady. Filmed on the island of Rhodes before the arrival of mass tourism, Ace of Spades sees a cunning card shark (Alekos Alexandrakis) enact a plan to dupe wealthy men of their money: use a pretty girl as bait then clean out their bank accounts. He finds the most alluring of cabaret dancehall girls (Aliki Vougiouklaki) before embarking on a comedic regimen of culture and fashion lessons to turn her into a smooth-talking sex-bomb. But his ace throws a spanner in the works when she meets an innocent young man who helps her regain her purity. Aliki Vougiouklaki proves her worth as more than just eye candy in a standout dramatic performance that could easily have veered into excessive melodrama. Be seduced by her charm and witty, rapid-fire dialogue. Γυρισμένη στη Ρόδο, η ταινία αυτή αναφέρεται σε έναν παράτολμο χαρτοπαίχτη ο οποίος καταστρώνει ολόκληρο σχέδιο για να ξαφρίσει, οικονομικά, πλούσιους άντρες χρησιμοποιώντας ως δόλωμα ένα ελκυστικό κορίτσι. GREECE 1964 COMEDY/ROMANCE 96 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI, ALEKOS ALEXANDRAKIS, DINOS ILIOPOULOS DIR. DINOS DIMOPOULOS The Kelly-Astaire style American musical gets a Mediterranean makeover in one of the biggest blockbusters of Greek cinema history. A comic road movie (of sorts), Lady and the Tramp sees Aliki Vougiouklaki coupled with her then husband, Dimitris Papamichael, in a musical two-hander that transitions smoothly from dialogue to gay performance. Aliki plays a privileged girl who finds herself in the unprivileged position of impending marriage to a rich but boring man. She flees, dresses as a boy to mask her identity and meets Lefteris (Dimitris Papamichael) a vagabond who takes the boy under his wing. A comedy-of-error ensues where we question the motives of Lefteris is he helping her because he loves her, or because he wants to claim her father s reward? Pocketing the highest payment in Greek cinema history, Vougiouklaki is revealed as a mature cult symbol in this film, albeit an apolitical one, just as the 1967 dictatorship wanted her to be. If anything, the latent social tensions of the time are apparent through a brilliant and suggestive score by Nikos Mamangakis. Η Ρένα, ένα προνομιούχο κορίτσι, αρραβωνιάζεται με έναν πλούσιο, αλλά ανιαρό άντρα. Τον εγκαταλείπει, ντύνεται σαν αγόρι για να κρύψει την ταυτότητά της και συναντά τον Λευτέρη- έναν αλήτη που παίρνει υπό την προστασία του το «αγόρι». GREECE 1968 COMEDY/ROMANCE 109 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI, DIMITRIS PAPAMICHAEL, DIONYSIS PAPAGIANNOPOULOS ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 25

14 ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI RETROSPECTIVE 26 THE FAIRY AND THE MAN Η Νεράιδα Και Το Παληκάρι (1969) DIR. DINOS DIMOPOULOS A light rom-com version of Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet with the far more scenic island of Crete substituting for Verona. The blockbuster triumvirate of Vougiouklaki, Papamichael and Dimopoulos join forces again in The Fairy and the Man a flagrant attempt to repeat the megasuccess of The Lady and the Tramp. This time round, citizens of Chania are split into two groups supporters of the Fourtounakis family and supporters of the Vrontakis clan in a feud that dates back generations. Katerinio Fourtounakis (Aliki Vougiouklaki) is the apple of her father s eye and a key agitator in the family s rivalry. Manousos Vrontakis (Dimitris Papamichael) arrives back from his studies in Athens on the very night the Fourtounakis family celebrate the engagement of Katerinio to the wealthy, but un-appealing, Skandalakis. When Katerinio and Manousos meet, Cupid s arrows hit and Manousos vows to woo her away from Skandalakis regardless of their family histories. Οι κάτοικοι στα Χανιά της Κρήτης χωρίζονται σε δύο αντίπαλες ομάδες, αυτοί που υποστηρίζουν την οικογένεια Φουρτουνάκη και αυτοί που υποστηρίζουν την οικοκογένεια Βροντάκη. Η αντιπαλότητα πάει γενεές πίσω, μέχρι που η Κατερινιώ και ο Μανούσος ερωτεύονται, παρά τις διαφορές των οικογενειών τους. GREECE 1969 COMEDY/ROMANCE 102 MIN GREEK (NO SUBTITLES) CAST: ALIKI VOUGIOUKLAKI, DIMITRIS PAPAMICHALI, DIONYSIS PAPAGIANNOPOULOS Introduce flamboyant Europeans to your bold New World friends Make friends with some exceptional vintages in our A380 Onboard Lounge^. From full-bodied classics to fresh blends from the world s top wine-producing regions. Savour exclusive wines that take you places. Fly Emirates to Athens emirates.com/au emirates.com/ ^Onboard Lounge available on Emirates A380 flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. For more information visit emirates.com/au, call , or contact your local travel agent.

15 GREEK DOCUMENTARIES AGORA: FROM DEMOCRACY TO THE MARKET Αγορά: Από τη Δημοκρατία στις Αγορές DIR. YORGOS AVGEROPOULOS Winner of the Orpheus Award for Best Documentary at this year s Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. There was a time when the term Agora referred to a meeting place an assembly for active citizens; the centre of political, athletic, artistic and spiritual life. However, in modern-day Greece, the term has been co-opted to mean a place for doing commercial business. After 13 years of commenting on global issues, documentarian Yorgos Avgeropoulos returns to his homeland to confront a society in the grip of economic despair. Soup kitchens, unemployment, homelessness and fascism are the only growth industries in the birthplace of democracy. Featuring in-depth interviews with the key policy makers, politicians, financial experts and the people struggling to make sense of a world they no longer recognise, Agora: From Democracy to the Market is a blistering look at today s Greece the rage and despair, the rise of the far right and sovereignty under constant threat. Το ντοκιμαντέρ αυτό, με συνεντεύξεις πολιτικών και οικονομολόγων, ρίχνει μια καυστική ματιά στη σημερινή Ελλάδα- στην οργή και την απελπισία του κόσμου, στην άνοδο της ακροδεξιάς και στο συνεχή κίνδυνο της εθνικής κυριαρχίας. BURNING FROM THE INSIDE DIR. MARCIA TZIVARA As we all know, where there is corruption, a camera is always unwelcome. Many times we [came] across dangerous situations However, we did it. Filmmaker Marcia Tzivara. A searing socio-political documentary from the streets of Athens and Berlin, Burning From the Inside examines the rise of the neo-nazi party, Golden Dawn, from fringe dweller to serious player in the Greek political landscape. Little more than 70 years have passed since the Second World War, and Europe finds itself dealing once again with the re-emergence of the far right in politics. Alarmingly, support for Golden Dawn has multiplied considerably as the financiers of the EU continue to enforce crippling austerity measures and Greek society is brought to its knees. From her new home in Berlin, Greek documentarian Marcia Tzivera watches in both horror and fascination as Golden Dawn s influence grows. She also examines the murder of anti-fascist activist Pavlos Fissas and puts forward reasons why the political and social structures of Greece may have allowed fascism and corruption to bloom. Ένα αποπνικτικό ντοκιμαντέρ στους δρόμους της Αθήνας και του Βερολίνου, αναφέρεται στην πολιτική άνοδο του Νεοναζιστικού κόμματος «Χρυσή Αυγή» το οποίο, από μια περιθωριοποιημένη ομάδα, κατάφερε να αναδειχτεί σε σημαντικό πολιτικό παράγοντα στη σύγχρονη πολιτική σκηνή της Ελλάδας. GREEK DOCUMENTARIES 28 GREECE MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CPH: DOX 2014, THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL 2015 GREECE MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 29

16 GREEK DOCUMENTARIES SAM ROMA: WE ARE GYPSIES Είμαστε Τσιγγάνοι Elvis Presley was also a gypsy DIR. MARINA DANEZI From India to Egypt, and Sweden to Britain, the Roma people are the Wandering Kings of the Road, a steady stream of human geography that sometimes lives outside the law and social acceptance. In this documentary, filmmaker Marina Danezi gives voice to the all-singing, alldancing, all-partying Greek Roma people who claim, for them, survival is an everyday challenge people who live on the streets learn more than those who go to school. That sense of survival can encourage them to break the law, but still the Roma people stay fiery and proud. Danezi s cameras enter the Roma communities of Attica, Argolida and Ilia, where she details a previously inaccessible world. Contrary to popular opinion, the filmmakers were welcomed with warm hearts and open arms. As one of the interviewees in the documentary says, Us gypsies are a mysterious people Ένα ντοκιμαντερ της Μαρίας Δανέζη, το οποίο δίνει φωνή στους Έλληνες Ρομά, στα τραγούδια, τους χορούς και τα πανηγύρια τους. A FAMILY AFFAIR Μια Οικογενειακή Υπόθεση DIR. ANGELIKI ARISTOMENOPOULOU An odyssey told through generations of music, and the captivating juxtaposition of remote Crete and urban Melbourne. A Family Affair documents Greece s most famous musical clan: the legendary Antonis Xylouris widely known as Psarantonis his son, the famous lute player and singer George Xylouris nicknamed Psarogiorgis and his three grandchildren Nikos, Antonis and Apollonia. In 2012, the family is at a crossroads. George and his wife prepare to part with their 16 year-old daughter as she heads from Crete to Melbourne to finish school and join her brothers. Two months later, they all battle rising anxieties and creative differences when the older generations follow the children to perform for the first time together at Womadelaide and Melbourne s Forum Theatre. Theirs is a story of the electrifying power of music and the sacred ties that bind. Featuring performances from The Dirty Three s drummer, Jim White. Winner of the Hellenic Film Academy Award for Best Documentary Μια πρωτότυπη μουσική Οδύσσεια, αναφέρεται στη θρυλική και φημισμένη, ανά το πανελλήνιο, στο χώρο της μουσικής, οικογένεια των Ξηλούρηδων. Στην ταινία εναλλάσσονται μοναδικές αντιθέσεις της ορεινής Κρήτης και της αστικοποιημένης Μελβούρνης. AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARIES 30 GREECE MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES AUSTRALIA/GREECE MIN ENGLISH & GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES 31

17 AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARY SHORTS FAMILY DIR. MARRYANNE CHRISTODOULOU This is an important film that has the potential to help other victims find their voice, and feel empowered to tell their stories. Metro Screen Family is the tale of two sisters: Nina, a woman severely abused as a child and teenager by her brother-in-law; and Nikki, her older sister and wife of the abuser. In sharing their story, filmmaker Marryanne Christodoulou brings the two sisters together after years of estrangement, and shows their conflicting notions of forgiveness and familial love, and their very different ways of dealing with the scars of the past. Reminiscent of Sarah Polley s Stories We Tell, Family features hundreds of layered photographic images interwoven with treated film footage and interviews. Visually, it pushes documentary making into exciting territory; not to mention its raw and honest presentation of one family s deepest, darkest secret. Η ιστορία δύο κοριτσιών: Η Νίνα, ως παιδί και ως έφηβος υπήρξε θύμα κακομεταχείρισης από τον άντρα της αδελφής της. Η Νίκη, η μεγαλύτερη αδελφή της είναι σύζυγος τού θύτη. FIELDS TO DREAM DIR. ALEECE MCCOMB South Melbourne, South Melbourne! Ole, ole, ole! The South Melbourne Football Club is one of the oldest and most successful soccer clubs in Australia. So, not surprisingly, the pain of being snubbed when the A-League was established in 2004 is still evident at the Lakeside Oval to this day. Executive produced and narrated by George Donikian, Fields to Dream looks at the mighty Hellas and their quest to again be recognised as the premier football club in Australia after failing to qualify for the 2014 FFA Cup. This short film takes us inside the inner sanctum as they prepare for redemption. HOMESONG DIR. NATALIE CUNNINGHAM Behind-the-scenes for the creation of Sophie Koh s fourth studio album. Sophie Koh (Charlie, I Understand, One Thing Leads to Another) is one of Australia s brightest contemporary music talents. As she records her latest album due for release in 2016 Sophie reflects on her cultural and musical identity in conversation with Melbourne filmmaker Natalie Cunningham. AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 32 AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: NINA KELLY AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: LEO ATHANASAKIS, CINDY NITSOS, JIM LAMBROPOULOS AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: SOPHIE KOH 33

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19 GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS ADDICTED DACRYPHILIA DIR. STELLA DIMADIS I have seen too many elderly people who are alone without a social network or family this is why the story instantly resonated with me. Filmmaker Stella Dimadis Adapted from the short story, Christmas, by acclaimed writer Thanasis Papastergiou, tells of a lonely Christmas Day when an elderly gent (touchingly portrayed by Melbourne actor and photographer Antonios Baxevinidis) yearns for the connection of a family. In order to discover his reality, he must first explore his illusions. What is real? What is a dream? What is a hallucination? What results is a surreal, visually poetic personal journey accomplished largely by the cinematographic magic of Con Filippidis. DIR. MARIE ATZARAKIS Technology: the drug of the nation. A rebellious group of misfits attempt to change society s views by creating posters to spread their anti-technology message. But, they soon realise no one is paying attention so they opt to take matters into their own hands with a technology blackout. Panic ensues. People initially react like drug addicts low on supply. However, as time passes, they adjust and realise how much richer their lives were before technology took over. This all plays out against a soundtrack of the song SAIL by AWOLNATION. DIR. RENÉ CHANDLER Pablo loves to cry. Adora loves a man who cries. They are perfect for each other until the day he runs out of tears. Told through puppetry and stopmotion animation, Dacryphilia is the tumultuous experience of Pablo and Adora, adapted from the stage play of the same name. Theirs is an adult fairytale about love, infatuation and control. They must do everything they can to make Pablo cry again, but will this see them pay the highest price for their desire? HEIDI FIRES EVERYONE DIR. NIKOS ANDRONICOS Heidi Ferguson, Human Resources Manager: putting the conflict in conflict resolution. Ever wondered what really goes on in your company s HR office? Heidi Fires Everyone is a satirical and deeply biting short that takes aim at the Kafkaesque culture of Human Resources (sorry People People ) at the firm of Schweinswesser-Guntangunt. This is a film for anyone who has been de-engagitised by the firm by 100% or been counselled for not attending voluntary social mixers. GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS 36 AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: NICOLE CHAMOUN, RENEE ST CLAIR, ANTONIOS BAXEVINIDIS AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: NADEEM FARHOUD, ANTHONY LOSTROM, CHRIS NIKOLAKAKOS AUSTRALIA/USA MIN ENGLISH CAST (VOICE): DAVEY HAVOK AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: JAMES MCFAY, BILL YOUNG, MAYA STANGE, BEN WOOD 37

20 GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS HIT DIR. DANIEL & JARED DAPERIS A seemingly simple grab for cash goes catastrophically wrong. Times are tough for Shane and his girlfriend, so he takes up an offer from a friend for a chance at some easy money. What should be a straightforward factory robbery goes horribly wrong. And things for Shane go from bad to unimaginably worse. JIMMY & DOUGLAS DIR. MARIA THEODORAKIS The second film in Maria Theodorakis short film trilogy of people in chance encounters. This time round, acclaimed Australian actor-turned-filmmaker Maria Theodorakis looks at what happens when the paths of Jimmy (Angus Cerini) and Douglas (Bruce Kerr) unexpectedly cross. Jimmy is in the throes of a very important delivery, when an encounter with the elderly (and bewildered) Douglas forces him to make some new decisions. LEAN DIR. STEVE MOUZAKIS Two men. One room. And the truth. Or is it? Unemployed, dumped by his wife and living with his parents, Steve (Steve Mouzakis) is now in the process of being interviewed by police as a victim of robbery. Detective Nick (Nick Farnell) seems easy-going and friendly enough but, by the time he s finished interviewing him, will Steve have something more to answer for? SWINGER DIR. NICHOLAS PAPADEMETRIOU A loving paean from a filmmaker to his grandparents. Mixing contemporary narrative with Woody Allen-inspired black & white flashback and Greek films of the 50s, filmmaker Nicholas Papademetriou recounts a resonating visit to Cyprus in 1976 when he was a just young man. Upon his arrival, not only was the small island bitterly divided, but also Nick learnt that his grandparents were in the middle of a bitter feud. GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS 38 AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: JARED DAPERIS, JAMES O CONNELL, KYRIE CAPRI, LEE MASON AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: ANGUS CERINI, BRUCE KERR AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: STEVE MOUZAKIS, NICK FARNELL AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH & GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: STELLA STEFANIDIS 39

21 GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS THEANO DIR. TIANA KOUTSIS A timely tale of migration that shows love knows no distance or borders. Theano recounts the heartbreak of leaving her fiancé, Athanassios, in Greece after making the harrowing decision to migrate to Australia in the 1950s. She shares the letters they wrote each other, unsure if their paths would ever cross again, in this highly romantic pondering of love and loss. THIS FERAL LIFE DIR. MELISSA ANASTASI A fierce, young female voice; intelligent, tough and lonely... Seventeen year-old Mia wants more of the things most people her age crave sleep, drinking and dancing but, after her father s death, she is forced to put her dreams of a better life on hold as she negotiates the clashing minefield of grief and teenage angst. WOG & NATHAN LITTLE DIR. KORALY DIMITRIADIS Yeah I m a wog. And? This is my joint too. The Good Greek Girl (Koraly Dimitriadis) returns in a passionate anti-racism, spoken word/poetic rant that takes her from Melbourne s State Library to the gates of the MCG. In what has become her signature not backward in coming forward style, Dimitriadis challenges the notion of what it means to be both Australian and to be from a European background and the duties that role invariably entails. YIA YIA DIR. MARION PILOWSKY From darkness into light via a pudding. When Nara introduces Cal to her yia yia s (grandmother) crème kataifi*, things seem just that little bit brighter. This may even change his life. As any Greek will tell you, never underestimate the healing power of your yia yia s cooking. *Crème kataifi is a traditional Greek dessert made of shredded sweet pastry baked with almonds and cinnamon, then soaked in syrup and covered with custard and cream. The version used in this short film is by a recipe from the producer s yia yia. GASFF AUSTRALIAN SHORTS 40 AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: AIRLIE DODDS, MATT LEVETT ST. KILDA FILM FESTIVAL 2015 AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: KORALY DIMITRIADIS AUSTRALIA MIN ENGLISH CAST: TIM LUCAS, MARIA HUMPHREYS, KIERAN MCNAMARA 41

22 2015 Proud to Support Greek Film Festival GREEK FILM FESTIVAL 2015 Food - safety approved bakery packaging Shepherd Street Marrickville, NSW 2204 t:

23 INTERNATIONAL SHORTS A BEACON IN HAVANA DIR. FAY EFROSINI LELLIOS & WINTON CRUZ The first church built in Cuba under Fidel Castro s rule, and the only church in over 50 years. This Kickstarter-funded short documentary brings to light the inspirational story of the St Nicholas of Myra Greek Orthodox Church in Cuba on the 10th anniversary of its consecration. Given St Nicholas was built seemingly against the odds under Cuban dictatorship, it is considered the Miracle Church a beacon to the Orthodox faith in a country steeped in Catholicism, yet also bursting with music and culture. CURE DIR. IFIGENIA DIMITRIOU A new boss attempts to transform a sleepy public sector office into a model of efficiency. Clerks meets Office Space when, on her first day as supervisor of the Greek public sector, a manager enforces some strict working rules in the hope of fixing an utterly dysfunctional system. But the staff is terrified and, with a surprise visit from labour inspectors added into the mix, a series of tragicomic events unfold that ensures life in this office will never be the same again. LIFT TO MOVE DIR. DEBRA SEA A tribute to the father of Rebetiko music Màrkos Vamvakaris. Lift to Move is a poetic and nostalgic remembrance of the legendary musician, Màrkos Vamvakaris, told through the singular vision of a spinning turntable. Shot on location at the Màrkos Vamvakaris Museum in his birthplace Ano Syros, Syros filmmaker Debra Sea pays loving reverence to his life and his uniquely Hellenic sound through his most famous song, Ah Ta Omorfa Sou Matia. MINOTAUR DIR. EMY TZAVRA-BULLOCH A haunting score, the myth of the Minotaur and disenchanted Athenian youth. Filmmaker Emy Tzavra-Bulloch creates a melancholic allegory in which one of Greek mythology s most tragic and fascinating stories the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur is used to depict the hopelessness of young people in today s Athens. Sacrificing their dreams of a tomorrow for the realities of today, the desperation of modern-day Athenian youth bears striking resemblance to ancient forebears so long ago. Winner of Best Fantasy Film at Euro Film Festival in Spain. INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 44 CUBA MIN GREEK/ENGLISH/ SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES GREECE MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES CAST: DORA THEOFILOPOULOU, CHARIS SIMENIDOU GREECE MIN GREEK WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES GREECE MIN ENGLISH CAST: SOTIRIS LEPESIOTIS, ELECTRA BULLOCH, ERIC PLYMETTE, ASHLEY AURORA 45