AVANT PREMIERE of the film
«KAZANTZAKIS» in New York,
December 10th, 2017
NYIT – NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Auditorium
1817 Broadway (near Columbus Circle)
A journey of discovery. A work of Positive Energy, Love, Faith and Optimism.
The much-anticipated film KAZANTZAKIS by Iannis Smaragdis begins its international “journey” from the beautiful city of New York. The Avant Premiere took place at the NYIT – NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY on the 10th of December 2017 and is dedicated to Nikos and Carol Mouyiaris, in loving memory of their son Alexis Mouyiaris.
The director Iannis Smaragdis and his wife and producer Eleni Smaragdi, welcomed the guests and gave an introductory speech at the opening of the event. The film’s protagonist Marina Kalogirou also attended the Avant Premiere.
Invited to this first screening were all the Greek-American sponsors that financially made it possible for the film to travel abroad; the heads of the Greek-American Authorities and Organizations, the Cypriot-American Authorities and Organizations and all expatriate media. More than 250 participants honored Iannis Smaragdis and Nikos & Carol Mouyiaris.
The film’s first Avant Premiere took place in Greece and more specifically in Crete on the 15th of November, followed by the official premiere in Athens on the 20th of November at Pallas Theater.
The year 2017 was announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture as “Nikos Kazantzakis Year”, signaling the 60 years of the death of the great author and intellectual.
With this film, world renowned, award-winning Greek director Iannis Smaragdis aims to elevate the inspiring personality of writer Nikos Kazantzakis, as well as magnify Greece’s magical scenery, where the writer’s spirit developed. Through this film the director wishes to convey the Cretan author’s ecumenical dimension, in the hope that it will make all the Greeks proud, in Greece and abroad.
THE FILM
Brilliantly portraying the main character of Nikos Kazantzakis is actor Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos, while the wonderful Marina Kalogirou portrays his partner, Eleni. Eight-year-old Alexandros Kambaxis is young Nikos Kazantzakis and Stefanos Lineos is the writer at a mature age.
A slew of renowned actors participate in the film. Argiris Ksafis portrays Kazantzakis’ father and Maria Skoula his mother. Actor Nikos Kardonis skillfully recreates the flamboyant poet Angelos Sikelianos and Amalia Arseni is his wife Eva, Itka is played by Youlika Skafida, Alexandros Kollatos is Jules Dassin, Zeta Douka is Melina Merkouri, Adrian Frieling is Dr Heilmayer, while Anthoula Katsimatides is “the good witch”. In a surprise appearance as Dr. Stekel is Nikos Marinakos. Other remarkable actors that took part in the film are Olga Damani, Ersi Malikenzou, Panos Skouroliakos, Takis Papamatthaiou, Michael Androulidakis in the role of El Greco, Loudovikos of Anogeia, Thodoris Atheridis is exceptional as Zorbas and of course, in the role of the abbot of Mount Sinai we see an “otherworldy” Stathis Psaltis.
The film’s main crew are: director and scriptwriter Iannis Smaragdis, producer Eleni Smaragdis, French co-producer Vincent Michaud, director of photography Ari Stavrou, music composer Minos Matsas, costume and set director George Patsas and editor Stella Filippopoulou.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THIS SCREENING POSSIBLE : NICOS & CAROL MOUYIARIS –
ANIFTOS STEVE/ TECHNICO CONSTRUCTION – BORNOZI OLGA – COMODROMOS ANDREAS D. – COLANGELO VICKY – DENNIS MEHIEL / ALL THE WAY FOUNDATION – HERITAGE REALTY / GEORGE CONSTANTIN – PHILIP CHRISTOPHER – DEMETRO JAMES – ERNST & YOUNG – FEDERATION OF CYPRIOT AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS – HALC – TOM & LIA IOANNOU – PETER KAKOYIANNIS – ANDREAS KRAMVIS – MANATOS ANDREW – MIKE MANATOS/MANATOS & MANATOS – N. PAUL & PAMELA MASTURZO – NICOLAS NICOLAOU – THOMAS V. PAPATHOMAS – NICOS PAPHITIS/INVESTORS BANK – PETER POULOS – JOHN N TELEVANTOS – SAVAS TSIVICOS – GEORGE TSUNIS – LUIGI TREDICI
Event coordinated by Capital Link Inc.:
http://forums.capitallink.com/greece/2017/movie.html
Special Thanks to Mr. Jimmy Demetro, President of the Greek Film Festival in New York.
The 19th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum that takes place in New York the next day, Monday the 11th of December, has invited all its Forum speakers to attend the avant-premiere of the film KAZANTZAKIS οn its international voyage, starting from New York.
We can mention indicatively the following who honored the screening with their participation : the Consul General of Greece in New York Dr. Konstantine Koutras with his spouse, Mrs. Lana Zohiou, Consul, Ambassador Vassiis Philippou, Consul General of Cyprus in New York, Senator Michael Giannaris, Assembly Woman Nicole Malliotakis, Mr. George Michailidis, Director of the Greek Trade Office in NY, Mrs. Greta Kamaterou, Director of the Greek National Tourist Organization in NY, Mr. Jimmy Demetro, President of the Greek Film Festival New York , Mrs. Nancy Papaioannou, President of Atlantic Bank, Ambassador Loucas Tsilas, Mrs. Anthoula Catsimatides playing in the movie, Mr. Peter Metis, President Greek American Lawyers Association, Mr. Michael Hartofilis, ex President of the Greek American Lawyers Association, Mrs. Fanny Trataros, President of HABA – Greek American Bankers Association, Mrs. Catherine Fleming, Rector of the New York University, Mr. Chris Koutsis, Director of Investors Bank, Mr. Papastylianou of the FEDERATION OF CYPRIOT AMERICAN ORG. και πολλοί αλλοι.
