Sydneysiders were taken on a nostalgic journey through Greek cinema’s ‘Golden Years’ at Randwick’s Ritz Cinema on Sunday, June 18 thanks to a spectacular performance by the Australian Hellenic Choir (AHC).
Under instruction by the AHC’s Music Director Leon Vitogiannis, the choir had the packed-out theatre singing along to the greatest movie hits from Greek cinema, including The Boys from Piraeus (from the film Never on a Sunday) and Don’t Ask The Sky (from the film The Island of the Brave).
They were accompanied by Stefanos Maragkakis on the piano, Perry Tsepetzis and Thanasis Pylarinos on the bouzouki, and Nikos Sousamidis on the guitar.
In the background, an interactive movie crafted by award-winning director Eirini Alligiannis showcased corresponding movies scenes featuring famous names such as Aliki Vougiouklaki, Dimitri Horn, Sophia Loren, Tolis Voskopoulos, Tzeni Karezi and Melina Mercouri.
There was also a medley tribute to Manolis Chiotis, who is considered one of the greatest bouzouki soloists of all time.
The event concluded with a presentation of flowers to Mr Vitogiannis, Ms Alligiannis and the President of the AHC, Jim Tsolakis, followed by the obligatory group shop.
One attendee, Vicki, told The Greek Herald on the night her favourite part was seeing the performance of the song Get Up and Dance Sirtakis from the film My Socialist Daughter, which featured a backdrop of Aliki Vougiouklaki dancing.
“It was a great afternoon that really gave me a sense of nostalgia for the great films from Greece’s ‘golden’ cinema years,” she said.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
