Los Angeles Greek Film Festival

Wednesday, June 25, 7:00 PM - Egyptian Theater

OPENING NIGHT GALA
ZORBA THE GREEK (1964, 142 min, 35mm)
Dir: Mihalis Cacoyannis
Cast: Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas

Based on Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel, directed by Mihalis Cacoyannis, the 1964 film raised Greek Cinema to the international level. It received three Oscars® (Best Supporting Actress for Lila Kedrova, Art Direction for Vassilis Fotopoulos, and Photography for Walter Lassally,) and four nominations including for Best Direction and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Anthony Quinn, whose astonishing transformation as a fun-loving Greek has stayed in film history.

Alexis Zorbas is an open-hearted peasant who possesses the entrepreneurial and, at the same time, careless Greek spirit. Wise, flamboyant, never despairing, loving to any woman who wants him, dancing, singing, drinking, and laughing through life, Alexis Zorbas became a symbol of the Mediterranean passion. From his encounter with a young and pent-up English writer (Alan Bates), ensue unforgettable lessons in love of life.

The film was shot in the Cretan town of Hania and various locations in the region, in the Apokoronas area and the Akrotiri peninsula. The musical theme, “Sirtaki”, by Mikis Theodorakis became identified with traditional Greek music and dance even though it was composed specifically for the film.

The newly restored print of Zorba the Greek presented at the 2nd annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival is courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

There will be a reception in the Egyptian Theater Courtyard following the screening.

Thursday, June 26, 6:30 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

LIEBESTOD-FOUR ACTS (2007, 15 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Stathis Athanasiou
A non-narrative film about the four phases of a love affair.

THE LOVERS FROM AXOS (2007, 80 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Nikos Ligouris
In the small Cretan village of Axos, the quiet days of George, 75, and Maria, 71, are filled with a rare and undying passion.

Thursday, June 26, 9:00 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

PASSAGE (2007, 22 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Yannis Katsamboulas
A man is forced by circumstance to care for two mistrusting Albanian children in the snowy border areas of Greece.

EDUART (2006, 105 min, 35 mm, LA Premiere)

Dir: Angeliki Antoniou
The journey of a young Albanian immigrant in Greece, from crime to redemption.

The film's director and executive producer will be present at the screening.

Friday, June 27, 6:30 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

CASSAVETES/ROWLANDS TRIBUTE

A panel conversation about the artistic collaboration between John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands moderated by Peter Bogdanovich. Panelists will include Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Al Ruban and Bo Harwood.

Followed by the screening of the film:

FACES (1968, 130 min, 35 mm)

Dir: John Cassavetes
Prod: Al Ruban
Cast: Gena Rowlands, John Marley, Seymour Cassel, Lynn Carlin
A married couple’s attempt at reconciling their disintegrating relationship, each in the arms of strangers.

Friday, June 27, 6:30 PM - SHORTS PROGRAM #1 - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

THE CAVE: AN ADAPTATION OF PLATO’S ALLEGORY IN CLAY

(2007, 3 min, DIGIBETA, LA Premiere)
Dir: Michael Ramsey
A clay-animation 3-minute story inspired by Plato’s representation of human life as shadows in a cave.

SUNNY DAY (2007, 16 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Anthi Daountaki
In a working-class neighborhood of Athens, a cab driver takes it upon himself to persecute a petty thief.

THE CUP (2006, 8 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Yiannis Bougioukas
A humoristic look at the maze of Greek bureaucracy.

TRANSIT (2007, 27 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Yiannis Gaitanidis
In a post-apocalyptic world, man turns into beast

TOWER BLOCK (2006, 38 min, 35 mm, LA Premiere)

Dir: Nikias Chryssos
Amidst the harsh reality of a working-class tower block in Germany, a young boy tries to escape his older brother’s tyranny by seeking refuge in the fantasy world of a heroin addict.

Friday, June 27, 9:00 PM - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

COMING AS A FRIEND (2006, 87 min, 35 mm, LA Premiere)

Dir: Dora Masklavanou
A love triangle unfolds, when a free-spirited thug interrupts the resigned life of a woman trapped in a passionless marriage.

Saturday, June 28, 1:00 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

THE SECRET OF THE SNAKE GODDESS

(2007, 52 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)
Dir: Christian Bauer and Nikos Dayandas
A fascinating portrait of Sir Arthur Evans unfolds as the discovery of a mysterious statuette compels archeologists to re-examine their assumptions about the ancient Minoan civilization.

RESURFACE (2007, 60 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Alexandre Papanicolaou and Emilie Yannoukou
A tragic accident in the life of young Alexandros Taxildaris leaves him paralyzed waist-down but also gives him the will power to win at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. NOTE: The film’s directors, Alexandros Taxildaris and his brother are expected to be present at the screening.

Saturday, June 28, 1:00 PM - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

PVC-1 (2007, 85 min, DIGIBETA, LA Premiere)

Dir: Spiros Stathoulopoulos
Set in Colombia and filmed as one continuous shot, the film follows the harrowing story of a mother who falls victim to criminals seeking ransom and is abandoned with an explosive device hooked around her neck.

NOTE: The director will be present at the screening.

Saturday, June 28, 3:30 PM - SHORTS PROGRAM #2 - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

FIRST LOVE (2007, 15 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Maritina Passari
A girl’s adventures in the discovery of sex and love.

BACH & BOUZOUKI (2006, 34 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Angela Milonaki
A girl is torn between family expectations and her desire to build her own future.

MOOG (2008, 22 min, DIGIBETA, World Premiere)

Dir: Haris Vafeiadis
An English school-boy is sent out of the classroom and is forgotten in the austere corridors of the school.

SUMMER HOLIDAYS (2006, 18 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Elina Psykou
On their way back from vacation, a young couple is tormented by the pains of love.

SHOULDER FOR HIRE (2007, 24 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Dimitris Emmanouilidis
In a futuristic world, where people pay for sympathy, there is no room for human relationships.

Saturday, June 28, 3:45 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

SIRENS IN THE AEGEAN (2005, 111 min, 35 mm, LA Premiere)

Dir: Nikos Perakis
When a group of young Greek soldiers guarding a small rock island in the Aegean has an unexpected encounter with the passengers of a Turkish boat, friendship, love and a diplomatic episode seem unavoidable.

Saturday, June 28, 6:30 PM - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

FALSE ALARM (2006, 88 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Katerina Evangelakou
A car alarm goes off in the night disturbing the tenants of an Athenian apartment building. They begin to cross paths in their restless quest for… peace.

Saturday, June 28, 6:30 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

DEAR STEVEN SPIELBERG (2006, 19 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Stefan Georgiou
The fruitless schemes of a young English filmmaker to contact Steven Spielberg.

THE JOURNEY: THE GREEK-AMERICAN DREAM

(2007, 87 min, DIGIBETA, LA Premiere)
Dir: Maria Iliou
A concise visual account of Greek immigration into the United States. NOTE: The Director and a collaborator are expected to be present at the screening.

Saturday, June 28, 9:00 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

THE TRAP (2007, 20 min, 35 mm)

Dir: Rita Wilson
A woman overcomes her fear of the unknown and learns to "let go" in a series of strange circumstances.

ALTER EGO (2007, 99 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Nicholas Dimitropoulos
A disillusioned young pop star’s search for true friendship and love. NOTE: Singer and actor Sakis Rouvas will be present at the screening.

Saturday, June 28, 9:00 PM - Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian

HOLD ME (2006, 94 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Lucia Rikaki
A poetic exploration of love and loss, inspired by an internet network created by the filmmaker.

Sunday, June 29, 10:00 AM - Wildfires: Greece, Summer 2007 - Linwood Dunn Theater

AUGUST 27, 2007 (2008, 11 min, DVD, World Premiere)

Dir: Daphne Valentina
A Greek-American’s view on the fires that burned the homeland and her heart.

THE ASH THAT REMAINS (2008, 66 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Nikos Kavoukidis
A poetic lament on the devastation of the land and the people’s livelihood in the wildfires, Greece, summer 2007.

WILDFIRE CRISIS (2007, 27 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Stefanos Bertakis
Two stories about the tragic consequences of the wildfires, Greece, summer 2007.

Sunday, June 29, 12:30 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

SALONICA (2008, 87 min, DIGIBETA, US Premiere)

Dir: Paolo Poloni
Remnants, memories and memoirs of the once vibrant Jewish community in multi-ethnic Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city.

Sunday, June 29, 3:00 PM - Linwood Dunn Theater

ASTORIA PARK (2007, 33 min, DIGIBETA, LA Premiere)

Dir: Chrysovalantis Stamelos and Paras H. Chaudhari
In New York’s Astoria, a friendly basketball game turns into a show of racial rivalry.

UP WITH ME (2008, 76 min, DIGIBETA, LA Premiere)

Dir: Greg Takudes
When a boy from Spanish Harlem is invited to attend an all-white prep high school on scholarship, he encounters what he has tried all his life to avoid.

Sunday, June 29, 6:00 PM - CLOSING NIGHT GALA - Pacific Design Center (The Silverscreen Theater)

LITTLE GREEK GODFATHER (2007, 90 min, 35 mm, US Premiere)

Dir: Olga Malea
Writers: Nicholas Panandreou, Olga Malea
In the days leading to national elections, the 11-year-old son of a prominent Greek politician is sent to Crete to baptize the baby of an influential family. NOTE: The director and writer will be present at the screening.

The event will start with a reception, followed by the screening of the film LITTLE GREEK GODFATHER and the Orpheus Awards Ceremony.