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For 24 years, Greek Public Television's (ERT) program "Paraskinio" ("Behind the Scenes") has transversed the country documenting Greek culture in all its forms.
Nine segments (shot between 1982 and 1998) from "Para--skinio" featuring Greek writers have been selected from the program's extensive archives. According to di-rec-tor Lakis Papastathis, the process of selecting these films from the program's extensive archives was a feat in itself, as was getting the often very private artists to appear in front of the camera. Artists profiled include: Minor Asia-born Maria Iorda-ni-dou, Dido Sotiriou, poet Manolis Anagnostakis (a Thes-saloniki-based voice from the post-Civil War left), Stra-tis Tsirkas, Kosta Tahtsi (author of "The Third Crown"), Aris Alexandrou, "hyperrealist" prose wri-ter/translator E. H. Gonata and Mihalis Katsaros. Wri-ter Yiorgos Heimonas may have recently passed away, but he is still alive in "Love in the Snow," a film that includes the author's thoughts on Alexandros Papadia-man-dis. Director: Lakis Papastathis. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1983, 52' The interview was filmed at Manolis Anagnostakis's apartment in Pefki, a northern suburb of Athens. The poet remembers his childhood, the German occupation of Greece, the civil war, events and historical periods that left their mark on his poetry. The interview is intercut with excerpts from his poems. Director: Lakis Papastathis. Cinematography: Γιώργος Πουλίδης. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1988, 52' Three of the best known Greek contemporary writers, Alexandros Kotzias, Menis Koumandareas and George Chimonas, read and comment on "Love in the Snow", a novel by Alexandros Papadiamandis, which was published for the first time in Vlassis Gavriilidis's daily newspaper "Acropolis", in 1896. The three writers propose a new way of "reading" the novel, and that is to approach it through poetry. Director: Lakis Papastathis. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1982, 18' The film was made at Maria Iordanidou's apartment. The camera records her daily life. We watch and talk with the popular Greek writer and her daughter while they do the housekeeping. A little later, we enjoy Mrs Iordanidou's comments on the news. Director: Takis Hatzopoulos. Screenplay: Teta Papadopoulou. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1982, 26' A guided tour of Athens, through the eyes and memories of Kostas Tachtsis, the prominent Greek author. Athens of the past, Athens during the German occupation, and then during the first years after the war. Memories of Athens and its daily life, memories of Tachtsis's childhood in the Metaxourghio neighbourhood. For those who lived during those years, this documentary evokes colours, sounds and smells of a difficult, but more innocent past. Director: Takis Hatzopoulos. Research: Teta Papadopoulou. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1982, 18' A documentary dedicated to the distinguished Greek writer Dido Sotiriou, known especially for her literary work concerning the Asia Minor disaster in 1922. Director: Takis Hatzopoulos. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1998, 45' Stratis Tsirkas was one of the most popular writers of the post-war period in Greece. The documentary is based on autobiographical data, such as letters, notes and diaries, as well as aspects of the author's life as expressed and presented in his novels. Tsirkas was constantly wrestling with political and social issues, both in Greece and in Egypt, where he was born and grew up. With his work, which includes the trilogy "Ungoverned Cities", the novel "Lost Spring", the essay on "Cavafy and his Era", poems, political articles and translations, Tsirkas left an invaluable heritage to future generations. Director: Lefteris Xanthopoulos. Cinematography: Dimitris Kordellas. Editing: Takis Gorgorinis. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1998, 50' Michalis Katsaros speaks about his life and poetry. Full of sarcasm and irony, he finally succeeds in hiding much more than he reveals. On stage, during a sort of rehearsal, two actors try to uncover and interpret the well-hidden secrets of the poet. George Kakoulidis meets Michalis Katsaros in Greek cafes, in an effort to piece together the poet's life since childhood. George Chronas and George Markopoulos, also well-known Greek poets, speak on camera about Michalis Katsaros and his poetry. Director: Eva Stefani. Cinematography: Eva Stefani. Editing: Yorgos Dialektopoulos. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1996, 50' E.Ch. Gonatas, one of Greece's most important post-war writers, is a strange case in Greek literature. Only recently did his poetry and other works receive the acceptance and recognition they deserve. This documentary was filmed in an innovative way, at Gonatas's house in Kato Kifissia, where he leads a secluded life. Director: Takis Hatzopoulos. Research: Teta Papadopoulou. Cinematography: Yiannis Daskalothanassis, Polydefkis Kirlidis. Production: ERT, CINETIC. 1986, 52' I belong to the non-existent party of poets. Aris Alexandrou Born in St Petersburg in 1922, Aris Alexandrou arrived in Greece in 1930, where he spent a large part of his life in prison or exile (1948-1958). In 1967, he went to France, where he stayed until his death in the summer of 1978. "Backstage" examines the life of the great writer, and tries to shed some light on his unique lifestyle and the principles by which he lived. |