Italy featured in ambitious program at Greek Film Festival

By Nancy Snipper, October 24th, 2012

Since antiquity Greece and Italy have left their cultural imprint on the modern world, and though distinct, each has influenced one another through historical expansion. This year, the Greek Film Festival, running from Thursday, October 25 to Saturday, November 3, is highlighting some of these cross-cultural commonalities among its seventeen films.
“I wanted to take the opportunity to embrace another community,” said festival director and programmer Avra Georgiou. “Greece and Italy have a cultural connection; we are bonded together by our Mediterranean tastes – our joy of life, we love to sing and joke, and of course the food and wine.” He also noted that gourmet goodies will be served on the opening night, when the musical documentary, Encardia, The Dancing Stone will be screened. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Greek Film at Thessaloniki’s Documentary Film festival, the film is a coup for Georgiou. “I’m thrilled to have it at the festival; it hasn’t even opened to the public in Greece yet.” The film follows a peripatetic Greek band in search of the vanishing culture of Griko music. They go to Calabria and Salento to connect with others who perform in the Griko dialect - an authentic poetical expression of passionate song lyrics created from Greek roots but pronounced in the Italian language.
Referring to cinematic Italic/Greek treasures, Georgiou mentioned Medea, screening this Sunday. “I am most excited about its screening.  It has been a long dream of mine to bring this film here. It stars Maria Callas, and it’s the only film where Callas appears in a non-singing role.” Made in 1969 by Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, this rarely-seen work combines magic, sacrifice, seduction and betrayal in the single larger-than-life character of Medea. This sorcerer is portrayed by Callas whose lifelong connection to Italian opera garnered her the name ‘la Divina’.
Other Greek heroines make their dramatic mark. Elektra - shown as part of the tribute to director Michael Cocoyannis stars the inimitable Irene Papas. Likewise, Cocoyannis’ Stella puts Melina Merkouri in the lead as a head-strong woman in love with a man she doesn’t want to marry, but when she agrees, she is a no-show at the church.
The Italo-Greek film Mediterraneo, shot on the island of Rhodes closes the festive event. In the film, a group of capricious soldiers give up guarding to pursue other pleasures.
Opening night will features a food and song gala at the Rialto Theatre. The closing night’s party promises a film and food fest as well. All other screenings take place at Cinema du Parc.
For more information, visit www. montrealgreekfilmfestival.com