New York City’s Greek Film Festival s about to kick off its 13th edition on October 17th and this polished, and well planned cultural and cinematic experience is one of the marquee events in the city’s slate of yearly artistic conclaves. The six day event mixes cinematic experiences with exhibitions exploring the impact of Greek culture on world history and this wide-spanning approach is further tailored to appeal to a broad based gamut of potential attendees of the festival. To borrow a phrase, the Greek Film Festival offers something for everyone and the organizers have designed it to be an accessible experience for those who possess even cursory at best familiarity with Greek films. The events emanate from New York City’s historic Florence Gould Hall at 55 East 59th Street and offer a comfortable and classy experience for audience members and participants alike.
There are a number of elements filling the six day schedule. In addition to viewing of multiple feature length and short movies, the festival hosts feted luminaries from Greek cinema like director Nickos Perakis, the focus of a tribute occurring during the festival, awards for a number of the films, Q&A, as well as tributes to women and an attendant discussion of the abuse they still face in our modern world. The closing ceremonies on October 23rd underlines the importance of women to the festival by featuring a concert entitled “Greek Female New Yorkers Perform Songs from Greek Composers” presented by Maro Theodoraki.
Some of the many movies scheduled for viewing during the festival include Clementine, The Mountain Tears, Marble Homeland, A Tree Remembers, and Still River, along with many others. One of the key events included is a digital exhibition named “The Legend of Alexander the Great as Ancient Greek and Byzantine Legacy” with an attendant screening of the film In This Land Nobody Knew How to Cry and an examination of historical artifacts connected to Alexander’s life dating back to the 14th century. Engravings from Xotaris Gallery artists add further visual flavor to the exhibition scheduled to conclude on October 20th.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: https://nycgreekfilmfestival.com/
The organizers’ decision to make this as inclusive of an experience as possible is a canny touch guaranteed to expand its potential reach. Their aim of expanding the public’s consciousness regarding Greek society’s contributions to world culture and exposing audiences to its artistic movers and shakers is well served by choices assured to reach a wide demographic rather than catering to cinema buffs and those who study history. Events such as this are hallmarks of the cultural calendar in the United States’ largest city and one of the world’s great artistic hubs. Locating the festival in a central location allows easy access for attendees and it is obvious the festival planners have made every effort to bring an all-encompassing experience to interested parties. The 13th annual New York City Greek Film Festival is shaping up to be the most memorable edition yet of this marquee event and should draw considerable crowds and media coverage over its near-week long length.
Garth Thomas