The 2023 Greek Film Festival has unveiled its extensive program for Melbourne and Sydney, featuring a diverse selection of contemporary and classic Greek cinema.
Running from October 19 to 29, this cinematic extravaganza offers Greek film enthusiasts an array of over 20 feature films and documentaries, along with the much-anticipated Student Film Festival. The festival presents a captivating blend of recent releases and timeless gems from Greek cinema.
In Melbourne, cinephiles can catch screenings at various locations, including Palace Cinema Como in South Yarra, Palace Balwyn Cinema, and the iconic Astor Theatre in Windsor. Meanwhile, for Sydney residents, the festival will grace Palace Norton Street in Leichhardt.
Kicking off the festivities is the opening night feature, the critically acclaimed “Behind the Haystacks,” directed by Asimina Proedrou and starring Stathis Stamoulakatos, Lena Ouzounidou, and Evgenia Lavda.
Set against the backdrop of the 2015-16 refugee crisis on the Greece-North Macedonia border, this poignant film explores a tragic incident that forces a family of three to confront their personal dilemmas while grappling with the consequences of their actions.
Throughout the 11-day event, numerous special screenings and events will take place, including a heartfelt tribute to the late Irene Pappas, a legendary actress with a career spanning over seven decades. Pappas’ unforgettable roles in renowned films such as ‘Zorba the Greek’ and ‘Z’ have earned her international acclaim and a permanent place in cinematic history. Festival attendees will have the privilege of watching one of her most celebrated works, “The Guns of Navarone.”
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the deportation of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community. In collaboration with the Jewish Board of Deputies of NSW, the festival will showcase several documentaries and a feature film commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, particularly the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
For the first time, young audiences can enjoy a film tailored exclusively for them. “Karagiozis,” the beloved shadow puppet character from Greek folklore, has been reimagined in animation, marking the first Greek-produced animated film.
Addressing the refugee crisis once again, the festival will feature “Voices in Deep,” a new drama by Greek-Australian director Jason Raftopoulos. Set in the aftermath of the refugee crisis, this gripping film, filmed in Greece, delves into the experiences of nearly one million refugees crossing from Turkey to Greece. A Q&A session with the director will follow the screening.
A compelling documentary spotlighting the life of George Bizos, Nelson Mandela’s Greek lawyer, will also be showcased. Alexis Bizos, the son of George Bizos, along with Jane Thandi Lipman, the creator of the documentary “George Bizos Icon,” will be present for a Q&A session.
To wrap up this remarkable festival, the closing night will feature the Cypriot film “IMAN,” directed by Korinna Avraamidou and Kyriakos Tofaridis. This thought-provoking film explores the complexities of modern Cypriot society and the personal struggles of its characters within a Western-style nation situated in close proximity to the tumultuous Middle East.
For additional information and ticket purchases, please visit www.greekfilmfestival.com.au
