The Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria “Leonidas” will be hosting the world premiere of the documentary, Magna Graecia: the Greko of Calabria.
The screening will be held on Sunday, May 1 at 6pm at the Brotherhood’s venue at 253 Albert Street in Brunswick.
Shot by international filmmaker/architect, Basil Genimahaliotis (London/Adelaide and former Melbourne resident) and Billy Cotsis (Sydney/Lesvos), the documentary is a 52-minute journey about the Greko, their towns and some of their 2800 years of history.
There are eight towns that still speak Greko in Calabria, it is the Griko dialect in Apulia, and the film visits each of these, taking audiences on a journey of elderly and younger speakers of Greko.
Chris Paikopoulos, the interim President of the Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria “Leonidas,” welcomes those interested in the Greko and Greek history in Calabria to attend the world premiere.
“The Pallaconian Brotherhood is proud to see the Greko maintain their dialect, history and culture, over 2800 years after the first Greek colonies in Southern Italy,” Mr Paikopoulos said.
“Our association is happy to present this wonderful documentary on its international premiere, and it is our pleasure to help promote Hellenism here in Australia and around the global diaspora.”
Documentary film-maker Cotsis explained to The Greek Herald: “I’m really excited to showcase the elders and also the younger Greko speakers.”
“I am grateful to the Pallaconian Brotherhood for hosting, and also to M&J Chickens, NSW AHEPA, VC Lawyers, Greek Bilingual Bookshop, Hellenic Art Theatre and Meraki Tv for helping get this film off the ground,” Cotsis continued.
“Add in music from luminaries such as George Ellis and Michael Midis and it’s a film that is well supported.
“The most important element is for people to learn about the Greko. I want people to visit them, learn about them and help the Greko maintain their heritage and dialect. They are a living breathing link to our ancient and Byzantine past.”
The film is the 9th major collaboration between Cotsis and Genimahaliotis, having shot in London, Lesvos, Mykonos, Italy and Sydney.
Melbourne is the sixth city that has hosted premieres for Cotsis and Genimahaliotis in recent years, with London, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Mykonos all taking on various hosting duties for a number of their film projects.
A Q&A will be held after the film, where Cotsis will also launch his new book, The Aegean Seven Take Back the Marbles.
Premiere Details:
- Sunday, 1 May at Pallaconian Brotherhood, 253 Albert St, Brunswick at 6pm.
- Entry is $5. Non-alcoholic drinks and food will be available for purchase.
- Book your place or for more information contact: https://fb.me/e/2wcCvVIfR, pallaconianyouth@gmail.com or 0419245372.
