MICHAEL CACOYANNIS

Michael Cacoyannis was born Lemesos, Cyprus in 1922. He studied law and drama in London where he began his career in acting but soon realized he wanted to direct films. In 1953 he returns to Greece and directs some of the best films in Greek Cinema History. Cacoyannis is the first filmmaker that allowed Greek cinema escape its narrow boarders and be exposed to the international public. His work has been awarded with numerous international Prizes and he has collaborated with many international production companies. He also made some interesting adaptations from Ancient Greek Tragedies to film. In 1964 he directed “Alexis Zorbas”, based on the homonym book by Nikos Kazantzakis, released internationally with the title “Zorba the Greek” with enormous success making Greece known everywhere in the world. The film wins many Awards and three Oscars.

In 1974 he makes the documentary “Attilas 1974”, a shocking documentary about the events that took place during the Turkish invasion in Cyprus. Cacoyannis along with Theodore Angelopoulos are the people that made Greece and its Cinema known around the world.

MICHAEL CACOYANNIS