Each year since 2007, optometrist Leonidas Vlahakis has spent countless hours watching Greek feature films and documentaries. Even more hours have been spent with his peers at the Cultural Committee of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) discussing the films before a final selection is chosen.
This year’s 29th Greek Film Festival running from October 15 to October 27 is no exception.
“Up until two years ago we were at the Astor only for opening and closing nights, and at the Como for the rest of it. Now, we have a packed program at four cinemas, including Balwyn and Pentridge,” Leonidas says, adding that this is no small accomplishment.
“Teaming up with Palace Cinemas, following the suggestion of Palace Cinema’s National Program Manager Kim Patelas, has been a game changer for our festival,” Leonidas says, adding that he attends screenings practically every night.
Palace Cinemas source films for the Italian, French, German, Spanish and other international film festivals.
“We handpick our own films from a selection sent by the Greek Film Centre,” Leonidas says.
“The real challenge are the ones that don’t go through the Greek Film Centre. In those cases, we contact the producer but because we are not Montreal or LA, we are not seen as a commercial festival and we need to work harder to source our material.”
To offer a festival that is on par with the other international festivals is a challenge.
“Let’s not forget that Italy produces around 120 new films per year, whereas Greece produces around 20,” Leonidas points out, adding that money is tight.
“It’s not easy being part of the Greek film scene. You can’t have the production values, but you can get very creative in terms of the plot line and how people express themselves.”
He talks about cinematography and Greek films as though he were Bill Collins, Mr Movies.
“Before getting involved in the Greek Film Festival, I’d say I was left of the bell curve as far as movie-making knowledge is concerned,” Leonidas says.
He remembers going with his family to the Greek cinema under the bridge at Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, to watch films featuring movie greats like Aliki Vouyiouklaki, Alekos Alexandrakis, Lambros Konstantaras and the like.
“During the Golden Years of Greek cinema, we were the Bollywood of the Balkans with more films per capita than any country in the world,” Leonidas says.
“We pay homage to this period by including ‘Gorgones kai Manges’, a comedy musical that enjoyed great success in the day.”
Opening night is always a challenge and following discussions, the committee decided to offer a comedy via the film Hear Who’s Talking? about a life coach with voices in his head.
“The Murderess (Fonisa) is a masterpiece, and possibly the most artistic film of the festival, but we wanted people to leave opening night feeling happy,” Leonidas says.
“The subcommittee choose a selection of films to appeal to a wide variety of people.
“Let’s understand that we are cultural ambassadors for our motherland and there are certainly movies this year that I’ll invite my non-Greek friends to see. Films like Ekseliksi (The Promotion), a real father-son tear-jerker.”
Brando with a Glass Eye, a Greek film made in Athens with the support of the Greek Film Centre and EKOME, was post-produced in Australia with the team at Bronte Pictures and The Post Lounge. The film depicts a method actor in a heist that goes wrong.
Leonidas says, “Brando with a Glass Eye is definitely a film I’d watch again. I like how characters in European films cannot be classified as good or bad but are both in many ways.”
The Greek Film Festival gives viewers a deeper understanding of Greece today.
“Many of the films feature or in some way allude to the Greek debt crisis,” Leonidas says, but adds that they also show the ‘variety’ that is Greece.
“We talk about the land mass that’s Greece but there are different types of Greece. There is Santorini, Mykonos and the party islands, but if you want seclusion go to my village with a population of 250. You can visit bustling cities like Athens and Thessaloniki or go to Kalamata for something niche and still have an amazing time. Greece caters to different types of people and so do the movies of our festival.”
Unlike other festivals that have a more mainstream appeal, the Greek film festivals draw community clubs and associations. The Panarcadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, O Kolokotronis, is making an event of the film Arcadia Champagne D’Orient.
Panarcadian Association President George Kotsirilos tells The Greek Herald he saw an opportunity to “give back” to its older members.
“By paying for their tickets to the screening of this film, with an Arcadian theme, we can bring together our older members who can no longer travel at night and support the Greek film festival in the process,” he says.
Leonidas says, “When I go to other film festivals there are a mix of multicultural audiences. For instance, most who go to the French film festival are not French. But our festival is different, and there’s a real sense of ownership.”
He feels this ownership in his skin every time the phone buzzes with feedback, especially in cases where the community don’t agree with the selection.
And then there is the Student Night on October 27, when students from community schools submit their own feature.
“That’s the future of our community and such a pleasure to see,” he says.
As the Greek Film Festival continues to grow and evolve, it remains a vital platform for showcasing the rich and diverse tapestry of Greek cinema. It’s a testament to the passion and dedication of individuals like Leonidas and the Cultural Committee of the GCM, who work tirelessly to bring authentic and thought-provoking films to audiences.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit the official website of the Greek Film Festival.
