‘Gorgo’, a new Greek Aussie film, is taking the international film festival circuit by storm.
Written by and starring Danielle Stamoulos as Medusa, the film has won accolades and plaudits abroad.
Danielle now holds high hopes for ‘Gorgo’ which has just won Best Short Film at the prestigious 14th AACTA Awards – Australia Academy Cinema Television Arts on 6 February.
For Sydney-based Danielle, ‘Gorgo’ is a modern reimagining of Ovid’s Medusa myth.
“We actually partnered with the Hellenic Lyceum in Sydney to make it, and I worked with author Dr Panayota Nazou as well. It’s a film about proxenio (promised brides) and our Yiayiades weaved in with a retelling of Medousa. I am really passionate in trying to get the film seen, especially by the Greek Community.”
Directed by Veniamin Gialouris, who has roots from Cyprus and Lesvos, the pair are hoping to meet their goal of exposing the film and its themes to Greek and Australian audiences.
Gialouris’ recent win for Best Direction in a Student Film at the Australian Directors’ Guild Awards last November stamps him as a director in demand. They are joined by producer Katie Amos, who is the creative executive at the acclaimed ‘Made Up Stories’.
Danielle Stamoulos has been working diligently and creatively over the last decade to forge a career in the creative industry world.
Having graduated from the Actors Centre Australia with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts following by a Masters of Screenwriting at AFTRS in 2021, Danielle is enjoying the hard work and creative results of telling a story.
Danielle explains that growing up in diverse suburbs such as Punchbowl and Bankstown, in Darug lands, helped develop her creativity.
“My work explores untold female Greek diaspora stories, themes of taboo for ethnic women, myth, body autonomy, antiheroines, sexuality and diaspora identity.”
‘Gorgo’ was selected for its North American premiere at Santa Barbara International Film Festival, selected for 2023 Antipodes Film Festival, St. Tropez, St Kilda Film Festival and 2024 FLICKERFEST, where it was the winner for Best Original Music in a Short Film.
Danielle is currently writing her first feature film with Co Curious, a Powerhouse Parramatta commission called ‘IN THE ROOM’ and is developing her own 7×7 YouTube supernatural cringe comedy series called ‘Curse of the Virgin’, directed by Grace Tan from SBS’ Appetite.
She is also a co-writer on ‘Halal Gurls’ (ABC iView), while some of Danielle’s other acting credits include ‘Ladybird Ladybird’ which is directed by Anthony Skuse, Love Child (S4), Sydney Theatre Award nominated play ‘Slut’ (Best Ensemble Cast, 2017) and was a part of the main ensemble cast for the award-winning murder mystery comedy web series ‘Sydney Sleuthers’.
Danielle also starred in ‘An Olive Tale’ by Sandhurst Fine Foods, episode 3 on Foxtel, and ‘An Olive Tale Fabio’s Story’ short film, both written by Billy Cotsis who co-produced with Ana Sevo from Meraki TV.
As an artist Danielle feels that she can redefine her “own path and what being Greek means to me”.
“I made a personal commitment to myself that I would continue to explore what this means in brave ways with my creative work.”
Danielle will be creating and generating more impressive projects as the coming years unfold. For now, ‘Gorgo’ is a creative piece worth looking out for. It is a heavy and defining film, just like her win at the AACTA Awards.
Watch Gorgo trailer below:
Fabio’s Tale of An Olive Tale:
*Billy Cotsis is the author of The Aegean Seven Take Back The Stolen Marbles.
