Amalia moutoussi biography of martin

Syllas Tzoumerkas talks with Fantom Magazine and Martin Kudláč

The obligatory start-up question. What is the filmmaker´s point of view about the recent commotion of the contemporary Greek cinema? Plenty of new talents emerging, interesting formal approaches… why now? What is behind the blossoming of your national cinema?

A combination of things, I think. Above all is the personal work of the directors but also of the actors and all the other artists involved in those films. Another factor is the determination of this generation of directors and – this is very important – producers, not to follow the path of greek cinema of the 80s and 90s, but sort of reinvent it and put it in direct dialogue with world cinema. Of course, another thing that enhanced the edge of our stories and their appeal, was the coming and the deepening of the crisis in greek society and economy during the last 5 years. The most important factor though, I think, is a renewed sense of urgency that has established in both film and society.

Another obligatory question would be the relation between filmmakers and state considering you debut feature Homeland whose central story is set against the backdrop of public riots in Greece, the connection is kind of obvious. So, what about your filmmaking and the state (funding)?

National television was actually a bit cautious about what Homeland was about (the combination of the poem that is our national anthem with lines like ‘fuck the socialist, fuck the right-wing, fuck the Greeks’ were a bit hard-to-swallow) – however this generation of filmmakers found back then the support of Greek Film Center at different and critical points of production. Greek Film Center and its president back then, showed determination and decisiveness in the policy of supporting new talent emerging from short films. I think that gradually, but not without difficulty, everyone got used to the fact that the new greek cinema has sharp teeth and it bites. Ri

Katerina Evangelatou, artistic director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, presented in the most vivid way the programme of the Festival’s events and performances to the public and the media. “Amidst a world on fire, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival raises the curtain this year. With 93 productions, in 85 days and the participation of about 2. 500 performers and creators from every corner of the world, with a programme that is polyphonic, militant, comforting, political but full of true beauty, with stars of international renown from the fields of theatre and music, as well as new names on the cutting edge of the contemporary avant-garde, with dance performances, concerts, performances, screenings, discussions, educational programmes, publications, parties, free admission events, honorary tributes, new collaborations, special platforms for professionals in the field and much more, we aspire to show you this world in a new light and to expand the time inside you on the evenings you will join us.”

THE PROGRAMME

OPERA / REVIVAL

1, 2, 6, 11 June

GREEK NATIONAL OPERA –LUKASKARYTINOS –HUGODE ANA

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

For another year, the Greek National Opera inaugurates the Odeon of Herodes Atticus programme, presenting one of the most beloved operas, Puccini’s Tosca, alongside internationally renowned stars.

Music director Lukas Karytinos• Direction – Set design – Costumes Hugo de Ana •Direction revival Katerina Petsatodi•Visual design Sergio Metalli – IdeogammaSRL•Lighting design Vinicio Cheli• Chorus master Agathangelos Georgakatos• Children’s Chorus Mistress Konstantina Pitsiakou• Cast Floria Tosca Liz Lindstrom (1/6 and 6/6) / Cellia Costea (2/6 and 11/6), Mario Cavaradossi Riccardo Massi (1/6 and 6/6) /Carl Tanner (2/6 and 11/6), Baron Scarpia TassisChristoyannis(1/6 and 6/6) /Yanni Yannissis(02/06 and 11/06), Cesare Angelotti Tassos Apostolou, sacrista