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A close up on Theo Angelopoulos in Thessaloniki |
From directors to actors, Thessaloniki film buffs to journalists and the Prime Minister, everyone is spending some time this week at the 41st Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
The First Broadcast
Yesterday the events kicked off with an opening ceremony at the restored Olympion Theater, followed by a screening of Tony Gatlif's colourful "Vengo". A music-filled reception trailed the screening, held at Warehouse C. Earlier, Minister of Culture Theodoros Pangalos spoke to journalists about the government's plans for cinema. Several co-production initiatives are in the works, he pointed out, including the establishment of an office devoted to assisting foreign filmmakers to make films in Greece, and another supporting Cyprus-Greek joint projects. Between November 13th and 15th, filmmakers from 11 countries will be at the festival in a second meeting devoted to Southeastern European co-productions. Pangalos noted that the dream of a Greek film academy is being brought one step closer to reality, with Theo Angelopoulos among those involved in the effort.
Academics in the Mist
Today marks Day One of the International Symposium devoted to Palm D'Or-winning director Theo Angelopoulos. The event starts at 11am, at the Cultural Centre of the Macedonia-Thrace Bank (12-14 Katouni St.). On the agenda are passionate discussions about Angelopoulos' relationship with antiquity, myth, style, history, circles, music, and time travel. Seven 15 minute (ha ha!) presentations are on the program, brought by their authors from Italy, France, Spain and Germany. Audience members will have a chance to share their ideas, before gathering their thoughts on ideologies and utopias for the next day.
The Angelopouloskeepers
Tonight and all week, Warehouse C is the place where Angelopoulos fans can delight in several exhibits documenting director and festival president Theo Angelopoulos' work. At 6pm, six books about the director will be presented by their authors there. Starting at 7.30pm several exhibits open. Let photographers Nikos Panayotopoulos show you the melancholic and poetic side images of "The Suspended Step of the Stork" and Dimitris Sofikitis display the photos he snapped while scouting for locations throughout Greece and the Balkans. Allow Mikes Karapiperis, Yorgos Patsas and Yorgos Ziakas to give you a peek at the impressive set and costume work they did for Angelopoulos. 50 elegant film posters from around will also invite your scrutiny.
The Suspended Step of the Flamenco Dancer
After the serious business of a press conference this afternoon, Tony Gatlif is in for some fun. He and his film "Vengo" (the opening ceremony film) travel to the closeby "Agia Sofia" lodging (formerly Camp Gonou) tonight. The lodging's 1,500 Roma residents have been invited to watch the 7pm screening. Tomorrow night Gatlif's music-filled "Latcho Drom" is on the program.
The Horizon Hunters
A madcap comedy from Iceland - "101 Reykjavik"- will officially launch this year's New Horizons programming. This section of the festival is committed to displaying exciting developments in world cinema. At 8pm, the film by Baltazar Kormakur will be screened. The film is about a 28 year old anti-hero who is devoted to avoiding adulthood at all costs. The title refers to Reykjavik's trendy 101 section, where the film's central figure wastes away his times on conquests and an all-around good time, activities festival-goers may relate to in some abstract way. Yesterday, New Horizons gave a taste of its programming, showing films as different as Paulo Branco-produced "La Fidelite," Alexander Rogoshkin's "Blockpost," and the Scandinavian "Angels of the Universe." The new works of festival-favourites Ventura Pons and Manoel de Oliviera also were screened.
Voyage to Greece
The young star of "Tzatziki, Mum and the Policeman" will answer all of the press' gruelling questions at 11am today.Directed by Ella Lemhagen, the film is about an 8-year old who' s earned the dubious nickname of Tzatziki, because of the tyke's boundless love for Greece. What precipitated this flattering obsession with Greece is his Greek fisherman father...who has no idea he has a son in Sweden. It's a film about kids, that is for kids and adults alike. Recipe for "tzatziki": grind a few cloves of garlic in salt and a few teaspoons of olive oil, and then add well-strained yoghurt and shredded/drained cucumber. Some people prefer pickles.
The Press Conference Reconstitution
Good news for avid cinephiles who want in on the festival action. This year the festival's zzz....zesty press conferences will be open to the public! That's right, just find a schedule and grab a coffee like everybody else trying to wake up after nights enjoying Thessaloniki. Settle into the first row - with filmmakers and stars in front of you - and be the one asking all the really tough questions.
Harvey's Gaze
Harvey Keitel may be a busy man, but like you he's found it impossible to stay away from the lure of the 41st International Thessaloniki Film Festival. He arrives tomorrow for only 24 hours, capped off by a rare public appearance at the presentation of "Ulysses' Gaze," the film which has linked him to Theo Angelopoulos for eternity and a day.
Quote/unquote:
"This is not the Temple of Jerusalem, and I'm not some kind of Christ Figure." -Minister of Culture, Theodoros Panagalos, in a press conference yesterday, discussing whether the new Provlita facilities should be used for commercial purposes.
Angelike Contis
First shot, #75, 11/11/2000
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