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RETROSPECTIVE: MICHAEL CACOYANNIS
Michael Cacoyannis
Born on June 11, 1922 in Limassol, Cyprus, Michael Cacoyannis
was the elder son of Sir Panayiotis and Lady Cacoyannis. He
studied law in London and was called to the Bar (Barrister-at-law)
in 1943. While working for the BBC's Greek service, first as a news
announcer and then as a producer of cultural programs, he also
studied acting at the Central School of Dramatic Art in London
and directing at the Old Vic School.
Not long after his debut as an actor in 1947, he decided to
concentrate instead on directing. In 1952 he left London to settle
in Athens and one year later the success of his first film (“Windfall in
Athens”) marked the beginning of an international career in
directing. Among them “Stella”, “A Girl in Black”, “A Matter of
Dignity”, “Zorba the Greek” and the trilogy of “Electra”, “The
Trojan Women”, “Iphigenia”, his films were regularly screened at
the most prestigious international film festivals, receiving awards
and distinctions. Cacoyannis has worked with some of the best
and most distinguished actors of his time, in Greece, Europe and
Hollywood.
Cacoyannis has distinguished himself not only as an international
filmmaker, but also as a stage and opera director, with critically
acclaimed productions in Greece, the U.S. France and other
European countries. He has published several screenplays, he has
translated Shakespeare’s plays into Greek and Euripides into
English, and he has written the lyrics of some of the best-known
and best-loved Greek songs.
It was Cacaoyannis' initiative that led to the dramatic new
illumination of the Acropolis He enlisted the services of the famous
French Engineer Pierre Bideau for a study, and after generous
donations by the Friends of Athens, which he established, the