Now in its 23rd year, the Greek Film Festival in Australia has launched its programming schedule online and will be opening in Sydney and Melbourne with Worlds Apart, the latest work by Academy nominated director Christopher Papakaliatis, starring Oscar winning actor J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, 2015).
After smashing Greek box office records with his spirited debut film, What if…, Christopher Papakaliatis returns to tackle the three pillars of writing, directing and acting with this deeply tender tale of cross-continental love.
Papakaliatis consolidates his canny ability to interweave narratives by presenting a trio of tonally incongruent stories, all set in modern Greece and all involving romance between a Greek and a foreigner. With an abundance of affection, humour and gravitas, each story climbs its climactic mountain before shifting to the next. Yet, somehow, all three come together at the end in a way we never anticipate.
Despite their rocky roads to love and the complications of today, Worlds Apart serves as a poetic reminder that truth, beauty and humanity exist even in our darkest hours.
Beyond many well-known films, the Greek Film Festival is proving a great platform for local Australian filmmakers and as well emerging filmmakers through its short film programming.
The works of accomplished Greek Australians will be screened including a documentary on medical marijuana by Helen Kapalos called A LIFE OF ITS OWN: THE TRUTH ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.
After a high-profile television journalism career, Helen Kapalos took out a loan for kitchen renovations that never happened, and invested the money into her first feature film – a deeply personal documentary about medical marijuana.
After a successful world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival, award winning filmmaker Kosta Nikas’ feature SACRED HEART starring David Field will be having its Australian premiere through the Greek Film Festival as well.
SACRED HEART shows no fear in the face of controversy tackling the most inflammatory of issues such as abortion, celibacy in the clergy and the sanctity of confession without ever taking the foot off the throttle.
*For more details visit greekfilmfestival.com.au
