The Delphi Bank 25th Greek Film Festival kicked off in Melbourne on Wednesday night with director Pantelis Voulgaris’ gripping historical drama The Last Note (2017).
Starring Andreas Konstantinou, the film is based on the true story of 34-year-old Napoleon Soukatzidis who served as an interpreter for the German commander in charge of the Haidari concentration camp, Lieutenant Karl Fischer, and became one of the 200 resistance fighters who were executed in Kaisariani on 1 May, 1944.
The anticipated opening took place at the historic Astor Theatre in St Kilda, where attendees were treated to movie snacks with a Greek twist, including popcorn sprinkled with saganaki, and drinks.
Ahead of the film, festival director Jorge Menides presented a number of speakers who addressed those gathered in the single screen cinema, including President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, Head of Delphi Bank Jim Sarris, Greek Consul General Dimitrios Michalopoulos, Labor Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos MP, and Liberal Member for Prahran Katie Allen MP.
But it was RMIT’s Lect-Industry Fellow in Broadcast Joumalism, Phillip Kafcaloudes who brought the film to life for the audience, with the revelation that his own grandfather, also a journalist, was in fact one of the 200 people executed in Kaisariani.
After the screening, the festivities continued with entertainment by Mikri Kompania.
The festival also opened this week in Sydney and Adelaide, and will make its way to Canberra, Brisbane and Perth later this month.
To see the festival program and to book tickets, visit http://greekfilmfestival.com.au
RMIT fellow Phillip Kafcaloudes, Delphi Bank Head Jim Sarris, GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, Victorian Liberal MP Katie Allen, Greek Consul Dimitrios Michalopoulos, Victorian Labor MPs Nick Staikos and Steve Dimopoulos spoke at the opening.
The Greek Film Festival's opening night was attended by more than 1,000 people.
Victorian Labor MPs Nick Staikos and Steve Dimopoulos, RMIT fellow Phillip Kafcaloudes, GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, Greek Consul Dimitrios Michalopoulos and Delphi Bank Head Jim Sarris, spoke at the opening.
Mikri Kompania performed after the screening.
