Theo Angelopoulos
Encyclopedia
Theodoros Angelopoulos (born 27 April 1935) is a Greek filmmaker, screenwriter
and film producer
.
, but after his military service went to Paris
to attend the Sorbonne
. He soon dropped out to study film at the IDHEC (Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies) before returning to Greece. There, he worked as a journalist and film critic
. In 1978, he was a member of the jury at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival
.
known as the Regime of the Colonels. He made his first short film
in 1968 and in the 1970s he began making a series of political feature film
s about modern Greece: Days of '36 (Meres Tou 36, 1972), The Travelling Players
(O Thiassos, 1975) and The Hunters
(I Kynighoi, 1977). He quickly established a characteristic style, marked by slow, episodic and ambiguous narrative
structures as well as long take
s (The Travelling Players, for example, consists of only 80 shots in about four hours of film). These takes often include meticulously choreographed and complicated scenes involving many actors. His regular collaborators include the cinematographer
Giorgos Arvanitis
, the screenwriter Tonino Guerra
and the composer Eleni Karaindrou
. Angelopoulos is considered by British film critics Derek Malcolm
and David Thomson
as one of the world's greatest living directors. Roger Ebert
has stated that Angelopoulos must care very little for his audience.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
Life
Angelopoulos studied law at the National and Kapodistrian University of AthensNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , usually referred to simply as the University of Athens, is the oldest university in Southeast Europe and has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837. Today, it is the second-largest institution of higher learning in Greece,...
, but after his military service went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to attend the Sorbonne
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. He soon dropped out to study film at the IDHEC (Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies) before returning to Greece. There, he worked as a journalist and film critic
Film criticism
Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films, individually and collectively. In general, this can be divided into journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, and other popular, mass-media outlets and academic criticism by film scholars that is informed by film theory and...
. In 1978, he was a member of the jury at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival
28th Berlin International Film Festival
The 28th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from February 22 to March 5, 1978. This was the first year the festival was held in February.-Jury:* Patricia Highsmith * Sergio Leone* Theodoros Angelopoulos* Jacques Rozier...
.
Film career
Angelopoulos began making films after the 1967 coup that began the Greek military dictatorshipMilitary dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
known as the Regime of the Colonels. He made his first short film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
in 1968 and in the 1970s he began making a series of political feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s about modern Greece: Days of '36 (Meres Tou 36, 1972), The Travelling Players
The Travelling Players
The Travelling Players is a 1975 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos that traces the history of mid-20th century Greece from 1939 to 1952.-Plot:...
(O Thiassos, 1975) and The Hunters
The Hunters (1977 film)
The Hunters is a 1977 Greek drama film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It was entered into the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Mairi Hronopoulou* Eva Kotamanidou* Aliki Georgouli* Vangelis Kazan as hotelier* Betty Valassi...
(I Kynighoi, 1977). He quickly established a characteristic style, marked by slow, episodic and ambiguous narrative
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...
structures as well as long take
Long take
A long take is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes. It can be used for dramatic and narrative effect if done properly, and in moving shots is often accomplished...
s (The Travelling Players, for example, consists of only 80 shots in about four hours of film). These takes often include meticulously choreographed and complicated scenes involving many actors. His regular collaborators include the cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
Giorgos Arvanitis
Giorgos Arvanitis
Giorgos Arvanitis is a Greek cinematographer.-Life:Arvanitis was born in the village of Dilofo, Greece...
, the screenwriter Tonino Guerra
Tonino Guerra
Tonino Guerra is an Italian poet, writer and screenwriter who has collaborated with some of the most prominent film directors of the world.-Biography:Guerra was born in Santarcangelo di Romagna....
and the composer Eleni Karaindrou
Eleni Karaindrou
Eleni Karaindrou is a Greek composer, born in Teichio. She studied piano and theory at the Hellenikon Odion in Athens. She is best known for scoring the films of Theo Angelopoulos...
. Angelopoulos is considered by British film critics Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm is a British film critic and historian.Malcolm was educated at Eton College and Oxford University. He worked for several decades as a film critic for The Guardian, having previously been an amateur jockey and the paper's first horse racing correspondent. In 1977, he was a member of...
and David Thomson
David Thomson (film critic)
David Thomson is a film critic and historian based in the United States and the author of more than 20 books, including The New Biographical Dictionary of Film.-Career:...
as one of the world's greatest living directors. Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
has stated that Angelopoulos must care very little for his audience.
Awards
- The Broadcast (1968)
- 1968. Greek Critics' Award, Thessaloniki Film Festival.
- Reconstruction (1970)
- 1970. Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film, Best Actress Awards, Critics' Award, Thessaloniki Film Festival.
- 1971. Georges Sadoul Award as «Best Film of the Year Shown in France).
- 1971. Best Foreign Film Award, Hyeres Film Festival.
- Days of '36 (1970)
- 1972. Best Director, Best Cinematography Awards, Thessaloniki Film Festival
- International Film Critics Association (FIPRESCI) Award for Best Film, Berlin Film Festival.
- The Travelling PlayersThe Travelling PlayersThe Travelling Players is a 1975 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos that traces the history of mid-20th century Greece from 1939 to 1952.-Plot:...
(1974–75)- 1975. International Film Critics Award (FIPRESCI), Cannes.
- 1975. Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Greek Critics Association Awards, International Thessaloniki Film Festival
- Interfilm Award, «Forum» 1975 Berlin Festival.
- 1976. Best film of the Year, British Film Institute,
- Italian Film Critics Association: Best Film in the World, 1970-80.
- FIPRESCI: One of the Top Films in the History of Cinema.
- Grand Prix of the Arts, Japan.
- Best Film of the Year, Japan.
- Golden Age Award, Brussels.
- The Hunters (1977)
- 1978. Golden Hugo Award for Best Film, Chicago Film Festival.
- Megalexandros (1980)
- 1980. Golden Lion and International Film Critics Award (FIPRESCI), Venice Film Festival.
- Voyage to CytheraVoyage to CytheraVoyage to Cythera is a 1984 Greek film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize and the award for Best Screenplay.-Cast:* Manos Katrakis as Spyros* Mairi Hronopoulou as Voula...
(1983)- Best ScreenplayBest Screenplay Award (Cannes Film Festival)The Best Screenplay Award is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival. It is chosen by the jury from the 'official section' of movies at the festival...
and International Film Critics Award (FIPRESCI) Best Film Awards, 1984 Cannes Film Festival1984 Cannes Film Festival- Jury :*Dirk Bogarde *Franco Cristaldi *Michel Deville *Stanley Donen *Istvan Dosai *Arne Hestenes *Isabelle Huppert *Ennio Morricone... - Critics' Award, Rio Film Festival.
- Best Screenplay
- Landscape in the MistLandscape in the Mist-Plot:The movie portrays the journey of two children in search of their father, whom they believe lives in Germany. On the way they meet many people, including a troupe of actors , and encounter dangers...
(1988)- 1988. Silver LionSilver LionThe Leone d’Argento refers to a number of awards presented at the Venice Film Festival. The Silver Lion is awarded irregularly and have gone through several changes of purpose. Until 1995, Silver Lions were infrequently awarded to a number of films as second prize for those nominated for the...
Award for Best Director, Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
. - 1989. Felix (Best European Film of the Year) Award
- Golden Hugo Award for Best Director
- Silver Plaque for Best Cinematography, Chicago Film Festival.
- 1988. Silver Lion
- Ulysses' GazeUlysses' GazeUlysses' Gaze is a 1995 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos. The actor Gian Maria Volonté died during the filming. He was replaced by Erland Josephson.-Plot:...
(1995)- Grand Jury PrizeGrand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)The Grand Prix is an award of the Cannes Film Festival bestowed by the jury of the festival on one of the competing feature films. It is the second-most prestigious prize of the festival after the Palme d'Or...
and International Critics' Prize, 1995 Cannes Film Festival1995 Cannes Film Festival-Jury:*Jeanne Moreau *Gianni Amelio *Jean-Claude Brialy *Nadine Gordimer *Gaston Kabore *Michele-Ray Gavras *Emilio Garcia Riera *Philippe Rousselot *John Waters...
. - Felix of the Critics (Film of the Year 1995).
- Grand Jury Prize
- Eternity and a DayEternity and a DayEternity and a Day is a 1998 Greek film starring Bruno Ganz, and directed by Theo Angelopoulos. The film won the Palme d'Or and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(1998)- Palme d'OrPalme d'OrThe Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
, 1998 Cannes Film Festival1998 Cannes Film FestivalThe 51st Cannes Film Festival was held on May 13-24, 1998. The Palme d'Or went to the Greek film Mia aioniotita kai mia mera by Theo Angelopoulos.- Jury :*Martin Scorsese *Alain Corneau *Chiara Mastroianni... - Prize of the Ecumenical JuryPrize of the Ecumenical JuryThe Prize of the Ecumenical Jury is an independent film award for feature films at the Cannes Film Festival since 1974. The Ecumenical Jury is one of three juries at the Cannes Film Festival, along with the official jury and the FIPRESCI jury. The award was created by Christian film makers, film...
- Palme d'Or
Filmography
- Feature Films
- Reconstruction (Anaparastasi) (1970)
- Days of '36 (Meres tou '36) (1972)
- The Travelling PlayersThe Travelling PlayersThe Travelling Players is a 1975 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos that traces the history of mid-20th century Greece from 1939 to 1952.-Plot:...
(O Thiassos) (1975) - The HuntersThe Hunters (1977 film)The Hunters is a 1977 Greek drama film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It was entered into the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Mairi Hronopoulou* Eva Kotamanidou* Aliki Georgouli* Vangelis Kazan as hotelier* Betty Valassi...
(I Kinighi) (1977) - Alexander the Great (O Megalexandros) (1980)
- Voyage to CytheraVoyage to CytheraVoyage to Cythera is a 1984 Greek film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize and the award for Best Screenplay.-Cast:* Manos Katrakis as Spyros* Mairi Hronopoulou as Voula...
(Taxidi stin Kythira) (1984) - The BeekeeperThe Beekeeper (film)-Cast:* Marcello Mastroianni as Spyros* Nadia Mourouzi as the girl* Serge Reggiani as Sick Man* Jenny Roussea as spyros' wife* Dinos Iliopoulos as Spyros' friend* Iakovos Panotas as solder' the girls boyfriend* Vassia Panagopoulou* Stamatis Gardelis...
(O Melissokomos) (1986) - Landscape in the MistLandscape in the Mist-Plot:The movie portrays the journey of two children in search of their father, whom they believe lives in Germany. On the way they meet many people, including a troupe of actors , and encounter dangers...
(Topio stin Omichli) (1988) - The Suspended Step of the StorkThe Suspended Step of the StorkThe Suspended Step of the Stork is a 1991 Greek film directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos. It was entered into the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Marcello Mastroianni as Missing Politician* Jeanne Moreau as The Woman...
(To Meteoro Vima tou Pelargou) (1991) - Ulysses' GazeUlysses' GazeUlysses' Gaze is a 1995 Greek film directed by Theo Angelopoulos. The actor Gian Maria Volonté died during the filming. He was replaced by Erland Josephson.-Plot:...
(To Vlemma tou Odyssea) (1995) - Eternity and a DayEternity and a DayEternity and a Day is a 1998 Greek film starring Bruno Ganz, and directed by Theo Angelopoulos. The film won the Palme d'Or and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(Mia aioniothta kai mia mera) (1998) - The Weeping Meadow (Trilogia I: To Livadi pou dakryzi) (2004)
- The Dust of TimeThe Dust of TimeThe Dust of Time is a film by Theodoros Angelopoulos shown on 12 February 2009 at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival and well received by critics....
(I skoni tou chronou) (2009)
- Other Films
- Broadcast (I Ekpombi) (1968) (Short Film)
- Athens (Athina, epistrofi stin Akropoli) (1983) (TV Movie)
- Lumière and CompanyLumière and CompanyLumière and Company was a collaboration between 41 international film directors in which each made a short film using the original Cinématographe camera invented by the Lumière brothers....
(Lumière et compagnie) (1995) (Segment of portmanteau film, with contributions from 40 directors) - Chacun son cinéma (2007) (Segment of portmanteau film, with contributions from 33 directors)
Honorary Doctorate
Theodoros Angelopoulos was awarded an honorary doctorate by Essex University in July 2001External links
- Official Site, languages: GR, EN, IT, FR, DE, ES, JP
- Senses of Cinema: Great Directors Critical Database