Greek Film Society Sydney

On Thursday 10 December, the Greek Film Society of Sydney screened the following film:

The Grocer (2013) 82’

(Dir. Dimitris Koutsiabasakos)

Synopsis:  Nikos, a travelling greengrocer, and his wife Sophia have been driving the same route since the 1980s. Once a week, all year round, they visit the remote villages of the southwestern Pindus Mountains, a 75-kilometre drive. The documentary follows their journey over the four seasons as they bring more than just fruit and vegetables to the elderly folk of the mountains. Best documentary at Greek Documentary Festival Chalkida and Audience Αward at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

Dear Members and Friends,

Our next screening is at 7 pm Thursday 20 August at the Cyprus Community Club of NSW (58 Stanmore Rd, Stanmore).

We are screening two award-winning autobiographical documentaries Ten Years After…Ten Years Older (1986) &The Butler (1997) by the late Anna Kannava. The films will be introduced Professor George Kouvaros from the School of Arts and Media, UNSW.

Synopsis: A tribute to the late Anna Kannava who migrated to Australia from Cyprus at 15 years of age, these two award-winning documentaries portray important events in her life. The first, a highly-crafted work, conveys the gains and losses of migration through a journey back to Cyprus and the memories of a lost past. In the second, the director celebrates her brother Nino with tender love and humour.

Dear Members and Friends,

A reminder about our next screening scheduled for Thursday 18 June, 7 pm at the Cyprus Community Club of NSW (58 Stanmore Rd, Stanmore). We will be screening the feature documentary film Palikari: Louis Tikas and the Ludlow Massacre.

Palikari: Louis Tikas and the Ludlow Massacre (2014) 88′ Dir. Nickos Ventouras

Award-winning documentary that deals with labour relations in the USA, as told through the story of the Greek migrant and union activist Louis Tikas. The events of the great 1913-1914 coalminers’ strike in Colorado and Tikas’s murder are recounted through oral, family and of-ficial sources. Interviews with historians, artists and descendants of the striking miners create a moving story of memory and identity in America today. 

*Winner of Best Documentary at Greek Documentary Festival, Chalkida (November 2014).

For trailer and further information visit: http://www.palikari.org/

After the screening, there will be a Q & A through SKYPE with the director Nikos Ventouras and producer/scriptwriter Lamprini Thoma who is a print and radio journalist with 30 years experience. She is currently working at Τhe Press Project, an independent on-line journal and radiο station.

Dear Members and Friends,

A reminder about the next screening to be held at 7pm Thursday 30 April at the Cyprus Community Club of NSW (58 Stanmore Rd, Stanmore).

The House of Cain (2000) 80’ (Dir. Christos Karakepelis)

A journey into the dark inner world of seven convicted murderers. Korydallos prison inmates reveal themselves through confessional stories of contrition over acts committed in moments of rage or mental disturbance. Through the interiors of the prison, courts, morgue and other sites, this powerful documentary takes us deep into the conscience of damaged men and women. A haunting sound track by Thanos Mikroutsikos compliments this outstanding work.

Awards – Distinctions

• First Prize at Nyon International Documentary Festival  “Visions du Reèl” (Switzerland)
• Audience Award at Munich International Documentary Festival
• FIPRESCI prize at Thessaloniki International Film Festival
• Best Greek Film Award by the Panhellenic Union of Film Critics
• 2^nd prize at Kalamata International Documentary Festival
• The film participated at Berlinale’s “Forum” and in many other festivals all over the world.

Screenings are open to all and membership is required at the following rates: minimum membership fee (with one-off screening): $5, 3 month membership: $10, 6 month membership: $20, annual membership: $35.

Meals ($12) are available from 6pm at the Cyprus Community Club restaurant. Free parking available.

Dear Members and Friends,

A reminder about the next screening to be held at 7pm Thursday 19 March at the Cyprus Community Club of NSW (58 Stanmore Rd, Stanmore).

Eduart, a young man raised in an oppressive family environment, leaves Albania for Greece with the dream of becoming a rock star. His reckless character leads him to commit a murder. Returning to his country, he is imprisoned for an old crime. In prison, he learns to feel sympathy for others and guilt over the murder. Eduart passes from crime to punishment, in a struggle for redemption. An acclaimed feature based on a true story.

A multiple-award winning film that was Greece’s 2008 selection for an Oscar Nomination for Best Foreign Film.

Screenings are open to all and membership is required at the following rates: minimum membership fee (with one-off screening): $5, 3 month membership: $10, 6 month membership: $20, annual membership: $35.

Meals ($12) are available from 6pm at the Cyprus Community Club restaurant. Free parking available.

AGORA: FROM DEMOCRACY TO THE MARKET (2014) 117’ (Dir. Yorgos Avgeropoulos) (English subtitles)

The Greek Film Society Sydney, in collaboration with the Australia-Greece Solidarity Campaign, is presenting the premier screening of the highly anticipated documentary AGORA: FROM DEMOCRACY TO THE MARKET.

The screening will take place on Thursday 12 March at 7pm at Gumbramorra Hall, Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville.

Ticket: $8 donation

The documentary depicts the evolution of the Greek financial crisis from its early stages, revealing its impact on the lives of ordinary people from all walks of life until the present day. It bears witness to the reactions of people on the street and the rise of fascism and solidarity movements, while also seeking answers from the country’s key political leaders, analysts and decision-makers from the international political domain.

After the screening, there will be an exclusive Q&A session with the director of the documentary via Skype from Greece.

Viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions about the movie and hear his unique insights on the political developments in Greece.

A Greek dish ($12) will be available from 6pm (vegetarian or meat). RSVP for food (essential): greekfilmsocietysydney@gmail.com

The film night is a partnership event with the Addison Road Community Centre.

The Greek Film Society Sydney is launching its new 2015 (January-June) Program this coming Thursday 29 January at 7pm, starting with Yannis Fagras’ 2001 feature Still Looking for Morphine (119΄),  a low-budget independent movie that has become a favourite among Greek cinephiles.

Summary: Ricky is a young woman tomboy living alone in the port of Piraeus during a long summertime. Her search for personal freedom is through a risky life of stealing, drug taking and transient friendships. By the end of the summer and after a violent event, her age of innocence is over. Shot in black and white with professional and amateur actors, the film achieves an off-beat and realistic portrayal of a young life on the margins of society.

The film was voted by the public as one of 20 favourite Greek films in last year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival’s celebration of 100 years of Greek cinema. The cinematographer, Panagiotis Salapatas, is a Sydney-born Greek who studied his craft in the US.

Dear Members and Friends,

7pm Tursday 16 October – 7μμ Πεμπτη 16 Οκτωβριου

At The Cyprus Community Club 58-76 Stanmore RD Stanmore

Despina (Δεσπινα) (1990) 55′ (Dr,Sotiris Goritsas /Σκ.Σωτηρης Γκοριτσας)

Sayome (Σαγιομι) )2011) 56′ (Dir. Nikos Dayandas/Σκ. Νικος Νταγιαντας)

The Greek Film Society in Sydney is pleased to announce the screening of the recently-completed hot documentary: “The Lost Signal of Democracy” on Thursday 18 September, 7pm at the Cyprus Community Club, 58 Stanmore Road. As always, we will have a discussion after the screening and this time we will have the opportunity to talk directly with the director of the documentary, Yorgos Avgeropoulos, via Skype. The film is about the “sudden death” of the Greek public broadcaster ERT in 2013. We would be more than happy to see you and your friends at the screening.

You can watch the trailer here