The Delphi Bank 26th Greek Film Festival today announced the Australian premiere of inspirational sports drama 1968 by internationally-renowned Greek filmmaker Tassos Boulmetis (A Touch of Spice, Mythopathy – GFF 2017) will open the 4 day Festival (October 10 – 13, 2019) at Nova Palace Cinemas, Rundle Street, Adelaide..
The film will also open the Festival in Sydney on 8 and Melbourne on 9 October. Tickets to all Opening Nights are on sale now.
Starring acclaimed Greek actor Ieroklis Michaelidis (A Touch of Spice), the docudrama revisits the legendary victory of the emergent Greek basketball team AEK in the European Cup against the seemingly undefeatable Czechoslovakian team – Greece’s first ever win in history. The landmark event on April 4, 1968 smashed attendance records with over 100,000 spectators flooding the marble Panathenaic Stadium.
“We are very excited to open the Festival with this excellent film from one of the country’s very best contemporary cinematic storytellers,” said Festival Chair, Nia Karteris.
“With its cast of renowned Greek actors, the film shines crucial light on such a monumental historic event that altered our history forever.”
Focusing on the personal stories of real people who were involved in this unique sporting achievement, the film paints a vivid picture of 1960s Greece to the backdrop of political upheaval around the globe – from the mounting post-war rivalry between European nations, to the murder of Dr Martin Luther King and the raging Vietnam War.
Stay tuned for the full line-up of films screening at the Festival, to be announced soon.
For 25 years, the Greek Film Festival has presented some of the best Greek cinema to Australian audiences. Prepare to fall in love with stories from and about Greece’s rich and ancient culture and peoples, all over again.For further information about this year’s Film Festival in Adelaide, contact the office of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA on 82314307.