Cinemagoers get a chance to see Greek film under the stars in the garden courtyard of the Hellenic Museum as part of their Summer Cinema program. With a program that celebrates the themes of summer – friendship, adventure, and discovery – tonight’s movie will be the 1966 classic Koinonia, ora Miden.
Originally picked up by American studios for a remake, but deemed too risqué due to its social realism, Koinonia, ora Miden serves up a slice of noir for the opening night.
One of Greece’s most beloved leading men, Nikos Kourkoulos takes on the authorities as they work towards a cover up at any cost. Kourkoulos stars as a former air force pilot, now an alcoholic, who is appointed to investigate a plane crash. He and sole survivor, played by Mairi Hronopoulou, face threats, bribes and abuse in a brisk paced tale of morals versus money. With a score by Yannis Markopoulos.
The Hellenic Museum, in collaboration with the Greek Film Festival, will convert the private garden courtyard into an outdoor cinema until 1 March, complete with pop-up dining and bar by renowned restaurateur Con Christopoulos to accompany audiences at dusk screenings. The Summer Cinema, which includes two afternoon kids films, combines a selection of vintage films with pop-up dining and bar to provide Melburnians with a taste of Athens’ famed outdoor cinemas.
Through a selection of award-winning films, the program showcases the golden era of movie production in Greece. Films as diverse as noir dramas, children’s classics, tales of adventure, romance and comedy dramas provide some of the finest examples of Greek cinema from the era.
The full program includes:
Saturday 1 February: Koinonia, ora Miden
Saturday 8 February: The Red Lanterns
Saturday 15 February: Madalena
Saturday 22 February at 4pm: The Little Runaways
Saturday 22 February: Girl in Black
Saturday 1 March at 4pm: Peppermint
Saturday 1 March: Blood on the Land
Gates open at 7.00 pm, with Con Christopoulos’ pop-up dining and bar, Pagoto, accompaning audiences into dusk screenings at 9.00 pm. For more information and tickets visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/summer-cinema-tickets-9779754509