The latest documentary project by Melbourne’s Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, telling the story of the ANZACs in the Greek campaign in their own words is coming to Adelaide.
The screening will be held at the Henley and Grange RSL on 4 May 2025 at at 2pm as part of Adelaide’s iconic annual Festival Hellenika, celebrating the best of Hellenic culture.
One of the filmmakers, historian Dr Peter Ewer, will be travelling from Melbourne to attend and will be available to discuss the film as the screening. All are welcome to attend.
The film tells the story of the ANZACs in the Greek campaign of 1941 in their own words, drawing on an over 130 hours archive of veteran interviews created by renowned Greek campaign historian Dr Peter Ewer. Other archival footage and still photographs have been researched and included in the film, such as the photographs of Victorian Private Syd Grant who served in the campaign.
This unique documentary reveals the veterans experiences of the campaign as they traversed over mainland Greece and on to Crete. The film is narrated by journalist and author Barry Cassidy –who will be well known to many readers – whose father served in the campaign.
Funded by the Australian government and supported by Melbourne’s Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, the film was created for the committee by Peter Ewer and filmmaker John Irwin assisted by this author and communications consultant Vicki Kyritsis on behalf of the committee. The film was launched at the Greek Film Festival in Sydney and Melbourne last year to great praise.
Festival Hellenika President Adoni Fotopoulos said that he has been working with the committee for the last few months to bring the documentary to both the local Hellenic community and the wider community of South Australia.
“The bond between the ANZACs and Greece is deeper and stronger than many of us appreciate. For too long the stories of these brave and generous souls haven’t had the attention they deserve. We feel the weight of obligation to honour and give these stories an audience. They make up our collective history but they could also be part of our own personal story.”
Committee president Lee Tarlamis MP said that the committee was very excited to have the documentary screened in Adelaide as part of the Festival Hellenika.
“On behalf of our committee, I would like to thank the Festival Hellenika and its president Dr Adoni Fotopoulos for their desire to bring this important documentary on one of the most important aspects of the Hellenic link to Australia’s ANZAC story to Adelaide. We are proud that it will be showcased as part of this great festival program.”
Historian Dr Peter Ewer added that it is a great pleasure to bring the documentary to South Australia.
“The Greek campaign touched families and communities across Australia. I know that the veterans whom I had the privilege to meet and interview will welcome their stories being heard in Adelaide.”
For more information on the Adelaide screening contact Festival Hellenika president Dr Adoni Fotopoulos at adoni@dealwithit.com.au
More screenings are planned, including in Greece. Those interested in holding a free community screening should contact myself as Committee Secretary via email at jimclaven@yahoo.com.au.
*Jim Claven OAM is a trained historian, freelance writer and published author. He is the author of Grecian Adventure, a history of the Greek campaign, and Associate Producer of the Anzac The Greek Chapter documentary. He is currently working to secure screenings of the documentary in Greece.
