Two filmmakers from Australia have come together for their ninth international film project that documents Greeks. This time it’s the Greko of Calabria and the Griko of Apulia.
Basil Genimahaliotis and Billy Cotsis produced three documentaries about their exploits and thanks to AHEPA (Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) NSW, two of these will be shown in Little Italy in Sydney.
Previously AHEPA NSW screened a feature film length of Magna Graecia: the Greko of Calabria last November to a sold out audience at Palace Cinema. This time the screening will consist of two 39 minute documentaries.
Dr Panayiotis Diamandis, who lectures in Genocide Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, told the Greek media how proud he was to support the Greko language in front of a large audience. He also reflected on some of the key learnings. “The key lesson from the Magna Graecia films is if you love it, use it. If you love Hellenism, speak its dialects, speak Hellenic in the form you know best. Greko and Griko has been spoken for more than two millenia. They provide a template for Hellenism in Australia as well.”
Genimahaliotis and Cotsis continue a tradition of sold out cinema sessions. As far back as 2015 with their documentaries about Lesvos, then Mykonos and Delos, the filmmakers remain the only Greek-Australians who can sell out documentaries at the cinema. Their work has earned them eight international film awards and prime time slots on Channel 31 in Victoria and Channel 44 in South Australia, as well as on Aurora on Foxtel.
The event on Sunday 12 February will feature Greko songs performed by Italian singers and a panel discussion on the Greko and Griko – two slightly different dialects. The Panel will be hosted by Calabrian-Australian actress Belinda Maree and will include lawyer and author Costa Vertzayias who wrote a book about the Greeks of Magna Graecia in 1990. Mr Vertzayias visited the region twice with his family in the 1980s to research and learn about these living, breathing ancient Greek “statues.”
More Information: Magna Graecia
Sunday 12 February from 6pm @ Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for concessions.
To reserve your seats, call Chapter Antigone President Charoulla on 0411 137 266 or [email protected]
Read also: Film Debut: Magna Graecia – the Greko of Calabria
