Michael Cacoyannis

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Michael Cacoyannis ( Greek Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης Michalis Kakogiannis ; born June 11, 1922 in Limassol , Cyprus ; † July 25, 2011 in Athens ) was a Cypriot- Greek film director , screenwriter and producer .

life and work

Michael Cacoyannis studied law in Athens and London and initially worked as a lawyer . During World War II he produced Greek language programs for the BBC . After the war he gave up the legal profession and worked at the Old Vic Theater in London as an actor and director . When it became difficult for him to find secure employment as a director in the British film industry, he returned to Greece and made his first own film there in 1954 with Windfall in Athens . Cacoyannis paved the way for the career of the Greek superstar Melina Mercouri , who he gave the lead role in the award-winning production of Stella from 1955. His first international success was Elektra in 1962, which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1962 .

However, he only became famous worldwide in 1964 with the film adaptation of the novel Alexis Sorbas by Nikos Kazantzakis with Anthony Quinn in the title role. With the background music by Mikis Theodorakis , the Sirtaki was born . The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Cacoyannis for Best Director and Quinn for Best Actor) and won in three categories. But his next film, The Day the Fish Came from 1967 with Tom Courtenay , turned into an artistic and financial fiasco . But he could in 1971 with the highly regarded especially at film critics film adaptation of the Euripides tragedy The Trojan Women ( The Trojan Women ) with Katharine Hepburn and Vanessa Redgrave rehabilitate. In 1978, his Euripides adaptation Iphigenie with Tatiana Papamoschou and Irene Papas in the leading roles was again nominated for an Oscar . After a long period of abstinence , Cacoyannis made the film Sweet Country in 1987 , which was spurned by critics at the premiere, but which has gained increasing recognition over the years. In 1993 he directed the comedy Up, Down and Sideways .

His last film was made in 1999, an English-language adaptation of the play The Cherry Orchard by AP Chekhov with Alan Bates and Charlotte Rampling in the leading roles.

The new lighting installed in the Athens Acropolis since 2004 is based on a concept by Cacoyannis .

The Michael Cacoyannis Foundation was opened in Athens in 2009 .

On July 25, 2011, Cacoyannis was admitted to an Athens hospital with heart and breathing problems, where he died a little later.

Filmography (selection)

Director

script

documentary

  • My Life and Times - Michael Cacoyannis (2009). (Μια ζωή μια εποχή - Μ. Κακογιάννης). Directed by Lydia Karra (Λυδία Καρρά)

Awards (selection)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Michael Cacoyannis dies at the age of 89 (accessed on July 25, 2011)
personal data
SURNAME Cacoyannis, Michael
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Kakogiannis, Michalis; Cacoyiannis, Michalis
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Greek Cypriot film director, screenwriter and producer
DATE OF BIRTH June 11, 1922
PLACE OF BIRTH Limassol , Cyprus
DATE OF DEATH July 25, 2011
Place of death Athens , Greece