The 29th Greek Film Festival captures the country’s history and culture
Image: Still from Murderess. Source: Supplied
The 29th Greek Film Festival arrives in Sydney with a program of 33 movies that should inspire festival attendees to visit Greece and capture the country’s culture and history.
The beauty of Greece has through the years beguiled international filmmakers who have filmed countless movies in the splendour of this country including the classic Boy On A Dolphin, The Greek Tycoon, For Your Eyes Only, The Bourne Identity and Mamma Mia!
“The last few years have been thriving. With numerous films utilizing Greece as their shooting location especially during summer months, almost the entirety of the country has been portrayed worldwide,” enthused Nia Karteris, Chair Greek Film Festival and Greek Festival of Sydney.
In Greece audiences support the Greek film industry by attending the locally produced movies in cinemas.
“American Films with high production costs, special effects and great marketing are taking the lead as expected, but I can reassure you that Greek audiences value cinema as a cultural expression. When a great Greek production comes along the local audience embraces it,” explained Karteris.
When asked whether the popularity of this film festival is escalating in Australia from year to year, she was quick to respond.
“Undoubtedly! In 2023 we offered 23 films in total while in 2024 our lineup includes 33 films to be screened within a 13-day period. I can confirm that ticket sales are more than double of what we had in the box office at the same time last year.”
The Opening Night Gala is always their pride and joy, and they love to indulge audiences to live Greek music while offering signature Greek finger food and a selection of wines to kick start a memorable night.
“The Greek Community and cinema lovers await the Opening Night with great interest and support the event with more than 500 people in attendance. And our 2-hour Opening Night Gala is always followed by the screening of a film that will keep our audiences interested, interactive and entertained.”
One of the highlights of the festival is the tribute to Mary Chronopoulou who was one of the great actresses of the Golden era of Greek cinema (1960s).
“There are many of the elderly in our community who remember her remarkable talent. The young audiences will enjoy our vintage tribute, and I wouldn’t restrict the appeal to a certain audience; I’d rather urge anyone who is really interested in understanding and enjoying Greek cinema to meet one of its greatest examples through her film.”
There’s more to attending this film festival than just watching a movie for entertainment. Karteris has hopes of what audiences should absorb from this festival.
“It’s a way of reminding Greek Australians where they originate from, a way of introducing to the greater Australian society the culture that is shared by a large percentage of Australia’s ethnic population, and it’s a way of making known the universality of hopes, dreams, and struggles through the art of filmmaking.”
And is attending the Greek Film Festival the next best thing to travelling to Greece?
“With the breathtaking Greek scenery featured on so many films, with undeniably great Greek music being heard throughout the screenings and signature tasting options offered during Opening and Closing Nights as well as during special Metaxa cocktails and Oasis coffee events, the Greek Film Festival is definitely the next best thing to travelling to Greece!” concluded Karteris.
Festival attendees also have the chance to visit Mykonos and Santorini should they enter the giveaway competition during the 29th Greek Film Festival dates!
KARERTIS’ HOT PICKS FOR THE GREEK FILM FESTIVAL
MURDERESS – Murderess is Greece’s submission for the OSCARS this year and it’s based on a classic novel by one of Greece’s most important literature writers, Alexandros Papadiamantis. It’s a powerful dark film that resonates with modern society although featuring Greece in the early 1900s.
THE OGRE OF ATHENS – a vintage film by the versatile Greek director Nikos Koundouros. With its critical featuring of post-WWII Greece’s culture of relentless political prosecution, it’s not only a great movie but a thorough study into Greek society and its progression through modern history.
THE AEGEAN: This film is an Australian production directed by a non-Greek, the Australian-born director Jacob Richardson who selected Greece to stage his debut feature film. What greater honour would we wish for than to have our Australian talent reflecting on contemporary Greek society in a respectful and tender way?
Greek Film Festival
October 15-27
Palace Norton St & Moore Park
https://greekfilmfestival.com.au/sydney
