As the Greek Film Festival of Sydney celebrates 30 years of cinematic excellence, one of Greece’s most internationally acclaimed films – Brides – returns to the big screen, bringing with it a story of love, exile, and resilience that continues to resonate two decades on.
At the heart of the film is Victoria Haralabidou, whose moving portrayal of Niki, a mail-order bride journeying from Greece to America in the 1920s, earned her critical acclaim and the admiration of audiences worldwide.
Born in Leningrad, raised in Greece, and now based between Sydney and Athens, Haralabidou’s own life mirrors the film’s themes of migration and identity. With a career spanning over 20 years and more than 20 credits in film, television, and theatre, she brings depth and humanity to every role she inhabits.
Speaking with The Greek Herald ahead of Brides’ screening at this year’s festival, Haralabidou reflects on her multicultural journey, her collaboration with legendary director Pantelis Voulgaris, and the enduring emotional connection Brides continues to hold for diaspora audiences around the world.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your upbringing and your career.
I recently read about the term ‘third culture individual’. I was born in the Soviet Union in Leningrad, later in life immigrated to Greece, and then Australia. I have performed in all three languages and have more than 20 credits in film, television and live performance under my belt.
Having studied and worked across Russia, Greece and Australia, how do these three cultural traditions influence your craft?
I think that anyone who moves to another country and starts all over to achieve anything in their carrier can do anything. I am determined and dedicated. Resilient and flexible. Curious and firm.
You’ve spoken before about being “a Greek who lost a country” – the descendant of Asia Minor refugees. How has that sense of displacement informed your art?
Everything in our life shapes who we are as humans and as artists. I love telling the stories of complexity, resilience and strength.
Brides features at this year’s Greek Film Festival in Sydney. The film remains one of the most internationally acclaimed Greek films of the early 2000s. How did that role come to you, and what first drew you to the story of a mail-order bride?
Laat year of drama school in Athens the casting people from Brides came to our presentation. They invited us all to attend the general audition. Thousands of drama school students responded to the call. We all had about 10 minutes on camera. My whole year went that day. When it was my turn to go in Pantelis Voulgaris (director) stepped out to have a snack or a cigarette. I did my audition without him in the room. But when I stepped out Pantelis came back and something pushed me to give him my hand and say ‘I love your work. I just wanted to introduce myself’. Pantelis looked at me and invited me back into the audition room. The year was 1998. Filming started five years later.
The film captures themes of exile, longing, and love across continents. What personal or cultural resonances did you find in the story?
Ioanna Karistiani (screenwriter) wrote a beautiful love story. Ultimately every Voulgaris film is a film about love, longing and heartbreak. I grew up in listening to stories from both my families. Stories from Asia Minor and Greece. Stories of revolution, displacement, civil war, executions and exiles. I’ve immigrated twice in my life. The stories live in me I’m sure, but being an internal optimist or pragmatist if you like, my motto always is to keep on swimming.
What was it like working with director Pantelis Voulgaris, and how did his vision shape your performance?
Pantelis has incredible patience and humour. He is open to offers, but also knows exactly what he wants to see on screen. He sees both the small and the big pictures. He trusted me and made me trust myself and my choices.
Many Greek Australians still remember Brides as a story of migration and identity. What kind of reactions do you receive from diaspora audiences?
I was on tour with Belvoir Street Theatre in Melbourne when Brides was screening at the GFF in 2005. I will never forget all the women and men that came to hug and kiss and cry and share their stories. Most of them came to Australia in the 50’s and 60’s but they saw themselves in those 700 women on their way to America in Brides.
You divide your time between Sydney and Greece – how does each place feed your artistic and personal life?
Every time I go back to Greece to see my family and friends I recharge my batteries. I have called Australia home for the past 20 years. I read, or heard, someone discussing dreams where they started having dreams in a different language. Not me. I see images. I see colour. I guess my subconscious has given up, it now feeds me stories beyond a linguistic barrier, just in case I decide to move again!
Looking back on your journey from Brides to Blessed and beyond, what stories do you feel most compelled to tell now?
Last year I was lucky and privileged to work on Black Snow (a Stan TV series). Once again, I couldn’t believe the warm and loving reaction from the public. Australian audiences are different to those in Greece. They are more reserved, if you like. Men and women would stop me on the street and tell me how much they loved my character and the truth I brought to it. People would tell me they don’t do it very often. And I would reply “you should”. It means a lot to us as artists to know we have an impact.
Finally, what message would you like to send to the Greek diaspora in Australia ahead of the opening of the Greek Film Festival?
I wish them many more inspiring, personal, funny, devastating, thought provoking stories on big screen to come. And for the Brides (once more) Καλη Προβολη.
