Michael Cacoyannis

Michael Cacoyannis
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Michael Cacoyannis (born June 11, 1922) is a prominent Greek Cypriot filmmaker best-known for his 1964 film Zorba the Greek . (He also directed the 1983 Broadway revival of the musical based on the film.) Much of his work is rooted in classical texts, especially those of the Greek tragedian Euripides. Cacoyannis has been nominated for an Academy Award 5 times, a record for any Greek artist. He received Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film nominations for Zorba the Greek, and two nominations in the Foreign Language Film category for Electra and Iphigenia.

content

1 Life
2 Filmography
3 Awards and nominations
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

Life

Born in Limassol, Cyprus under the name Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης (Mikhalis Kakogiannis), as a young man, Cacoyannis was sent by his family to England to become a lawyer. However, after producing Greek-language programs for the BBC during World War II,^[1] Cacoyannis found an interest in film instead. He ended up at the Old Vic school, and enjoyed a brief stage career there under the name "Michael Yannis" before he began working on films. After having trouble finding a directing job in the British film industry, Cacoyannis returned to Greece, and in 1953 he made his first film, Windfall in Athens.^[1]

Cacoyannis has worked on many occasions with the Greek actress Irene Papas. In 1971, he teamed up once more with Papas to the film The Trojan Women, starring Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn.

Filmography

The Cherry Orchard (1999): director, screenwriter, producer
Pano kato ke plagios ("Up, Down and Sideways") (1993): director, screenwriter, producer
Glykeia patrida ("Sweet Country") (1986): director, screenwriter, producer
Iphigenia (1977): director, screenwriter
Attilas '74 (1975): director, producer
The Trojan Women (1971): director, screenwriter, producer
Otan ta psaria vgikan sti steria ("The Day the Fish Came Out") (1967): director, screenwriter, producer
Alexis Zorbas ("Zorba the Greek") (1964): director, screenwriter, producer
Electra (1962): director, screenwriter, producer
Il Relitto ("The Wastrel") (1961): director, screenwriter
Eroica ("Our Last Spring") (1960): director, screenwriter, producer
To telefteo psemma ("A Matter of Dignity") (1957): director, screenwriter, producer
To koritsi me ta mavra ("A Girl in Black") (1956): director, screenwriter
Stella (1955): director, screenwriter, producer
Kyriakatiko xypnima ("Windfall in Athens") (1954): director, screenwriter

Awards and nominations

Cannes Film Festival

1954 : Golden Palm for "Windfall in Athens" - nominated
1955 : Golden Palm for "Stella" - nominated
1956 : Golden Palm for "A Girl in Black" - nominated
1957 : Golden Palm for "A Matter of Dignity" - nominated
1961 : Golden Palm for "The Wastrel" - nominated
1962 : Golden Palm for "Elektra" - nominated
1962 : Grand Jury Prize for "Elektra" - won
1962 : Technical Award for "Elektra" - won
1977 : Golden Palm for "Iphigenia" - nominated

Berlin International Film Festival

1960 : Golden Berlin Bear for "Our Last Spring" - nominated
1963 : David O. Selznick Award for "Elektra" - won

Academy Awards(OSCARS)

1963 : Best Foreign Language Film for "Elektra" - nominated
1964 : Best Picture for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1964 : Best Director for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1964 : Best Adapted Screenplay for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1977 : Best Foreign Language Film for "Iphigenia" - nominated

Golden Globes

1956 : Best Foreign Language Film for "Stella" - won
1957 : Best Foreign Language Film for "A Girl in Black" - won
1965 : Best Director for "Zorba the Greek - nominated

British Academy Awards(BAFTA)

1966 : Best Film for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1966 : UN Award for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated

New York Film Critics

1964 : Best Film for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1964 : Best Director for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated
1964 : Best Screenplay for "Zorba the Greek" - nominated

David di Donatello Awards

1964 : Special Plaque for "Zorba the Greek" - won

Thessaloniki Film Festival

1960 : Special Contribution Award - won
1961 : Best Director for "Our Last Spring" - won
1962 : Best Film for "Elektra" - won
1962 : Best Director for "Elektra" - won
1977 : Best Film for "Iphigenia" - won
1999 : Union of Film and Television Technicians Award for "The Cherry Orchard" - won