An award-winning feature film that explores the demise of a long term lesbian relationship will make its Australian debut at the 29th Greek Film Festival on Thursday, October 15 at cinemas around Australia.
Greek Australian director Demetra Giannokopoulos’s debut, ‘Love Rewind’, is set during Australia’s 2017 same sex marriage postal vote. Penny, (played by Ruth Kateleros), wants to revive the love in her stale, long-term relationship with Althea, (played by Maria Papas).
When Althea suddenly has a stroke, Penny discovers that Althea has been having an affair. The two women, who once promised to stay together forever, must now navigate the fallout and their future.
“This film is important because it is a perspective of lesbian relationships that we do not often see in films. It’s beyond coming out. It’s an exploration and reflection of how two mature women deal with the ending of their committed relationship and how do they continue to love each other, although no longer romantically involved,” says Giannokopoulos. who wrote the script late 2017 and early 2018 before filming it in April 2018 in Melbourne and Marysville over 20 days.
Giannokopoulos wrote the script late 2017 and early 2018 before filming it in April 2018 in Melbourne, and Marysville over 20 days.
“Althea was an interesting character to play. As well as going through a breakup she was recovering from a stroke. There was a lot there for me as an actor to work with,” says Papas.
“One of the things I enjoyed about working on this film was that it was almost an entirely female cast and crew. There was a lot of respect on set for each other and the film was a real collaborative effort,” she says.
Giannokopoulos and Papas also worked together on the audio play, `Coming Out For Christmas’ which Giannokopoulos wrote in 2022 and performed to a sellout crowd at the Greek Centre in Melbourne.
“Demetra is a very generous writer and director. She’s really smart, a great listener and open to input from her actors. So that’s a really great mix of qualities and a drawcard for an actor,” says Papas.
A former lawyer, Giannokopoulos gave up practising law to pursue her passion for film and writing, in particular, stories with lesbian themes. But how difficult is it as a Greek Australian lesbian to write these stories?
“When I present my work with LGBTQ themes, it necessarily draws attention to my sexuality. Even though I came out to my family over 100 years ago every time I am engaged in something LGBTQ-related I feel the nervousness of those coming out feelings,” says Giannokopoulos.
‘Love Rewind’ screened in the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival in September 2023 where it won the award of Festival Favourite.
“The screening at the Greek Film Festival is its Australian premier so I am keen to hear feedback from an audience that may not usually go to see a queer film,” says Giannokopoulos.
The Festival is held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney across October and November.
For screening locations and dates visit this link.
Watch the trailer below: