Under the general title “Here Polytechnic…. Two films two flowers: Child and Z”, the naked eye will share with us on the big screen of the Lithographion Theater, the films “Gelasto Paidi” and “Z”, wishing with this way to commemorate the heroic uprising of the students at the Polytechnic in November 1973.
As Nikolaos Kavadias notes, always “through the naked eye”: “Two films, two flowers in memory of those children, who chose to remain defiant and opened a path for us, which unfortunately, we did not walk. You see, “he wants virtue and courage 5 the freedom”.
The screenings will take place on Wednesday, November 13, specifically: at 8.15 the movie “The Laughing Child” and at 10.15 “Z”.
“The Laughing Child” by Alan Gilsenan
The Irish song “The Laughing Boy” was written by teenage rebel Brendan Bian as a tribute to another legendary rebel, Michael Collins, whose memory will be commemorated in 2022 on the centenary of his death. But the song enjoyed a great second life as “The Laughing Child”, the left-wing anthem of resistance to the Junta.
Translated by the poet Vassilis Rota, Bian’s lyrics were set to music by Mikis Theodorakis, the leading Greek composer.
The film follows poet Theo Dorgan on his personal Odyssey as he tries to discover the truth behind the song.
It is a narrative that weaves together the tragic and bloody stories of both modern Ireland and modern Greece.
But the stories of both are connected by something much deeper and transcendent: the power of a song.
With original music by Eleni Karaindrou and with the participation of personalities such as Maria Faradouri, Pantelis Voulgaris, Roberos Manthoulis and Pantelis Boukalas, the film unravels the thread of the unexpected transformations of a song, but also the thread of the turbulent history of two peoples…
– powered by Imagine Media Productions –
COEFFICIENTS
Directed by: Alan Gilsenan
Screenplay: Theo Dorgan
Cinematography: Colm Hogan
Montage: Bjorn Mac Giolla
Sound: John (Bob) Brennan, Kieran Horgan
Music: Eleni Karaindrou
Production: Imagine Media
Producers: Kathryn Baird, Sheila Friel
Narrated by Theo Dorgan
Color: Color
Country of Manufacture: Ireland
Year of Production: 2022
Duration: 91′
PRIZES
Public Award of the 25th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – 2023
Pull Focus Award for Best New Irish Documentary – Docs Ireland 2022
trailer:
“Z” by Kostas Gavras
“Any resemblance to real events, to persons living or dead, is intentional!”
The honest anger that runs through Gavras’ classic political thriller is evident in every frame, from the credits to the looks, from the demonstrations to the interrogations, and every possible point in between.
Based on the novel of the same name by Vassilis Vassilikos, which concerns the murder of EDA MP Grigoris Lambrakis by parastatals in the turbulent 60s for Greece, Z (pronounced “lives”, from “lives!, lives!, lives! ” and not “zeta”) has as its starting point the attack on an emblematic political figure of the opposition (Yv Montand) and the immediate attempt cover-up, following the subsequent investigation by an investigator (Jean-Louis Trentinian) determined to bring the true facts to light.
But what can be the price of truth in such a corrupt and politically unstable environment?
Based on a screenplay he wrote together with Spain’s later Minister of Culture Jorge Sembrun, Costas Gavras weaves a heart-pounding thriller – not through exaggerations and cheap twists, but by locating political horror with commentary, through interrogations and through looks, which never hide the truth.
Through an uninterrupted montage and the impetuous compositions of Mikis Theodorakis, Gavras follows faces, processes and truths hidden in the shadows, completing a bold, vital portrait of the social impasse of the period. which finally captivated the global audience.
It became only the second non-English language film in history to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
COEFFICIENTS
Directed by: Kostas Gavras
Screenplay: Jorge Semprun, Kostas Gavras (based on the novel by Vassilis Vassilikos)
Director of photography: Raoul Coutard
Editing: Françoise Bonnot
Sound: Michèle Boëhm
Music: Mikis Theodorakis
Actors: Yves Montand, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Irini Pappas, Jacques Perrin, François Périer, Charles Denner, Pierre Dux, Georges Géret, Renato Salvatori, Bernard Fresson, Clotilde Joano
Producers: Jacques Perrin, Ahmed Rachedi
Costumes: Piet Bolscher
Scenery: Jacques D’Ovidio
Color: Color
Country of Manufacture: France, Algeria
Year of Production: 1969
Duration: 127′
– the screening is supported by the French Institute of Greece (IFG) –
#laughing #child #Lithographion
**Interview with Nikolaos Kavadias on the Upcoming Screening of “Here Polytechnic… Two Films, Two Flowers”**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Nikolaos. This upcoming screening at the Lithographion Theater sounds fascinating. Can you tell us what inspired the title “Here Polytechnic… Two Films, Two Flowers”?
**Nikolaos Kavadias:** Thank you for having me. The title is quite symbolic. We are commemorating the brave students who stood against oppression during the Athens Polytechnic uprising of November 1973. The “two flowers” represent the films we’re screening: “The Laughing Child” and “Z”, each serving as a floral tribute to those valiant individuals who fought for freedom and justice.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful sentiment. Can you elaborate on the films being screened?
**Nikolaos Kavadias:** Absolutely. ”The Laughing Child” explores the connection between two historical struggles—modern Ireland and Greece—through the lens of a song written as a tribute to the rebel Michael Collins. It captures the spirit of resistance and courage through evocative storytelling and music. On the other hand, “Z”, directed by Costa-Gavras, is a classic political thriller about the events surrounding the assassination of an opposition politician in the 1960s. The film is a stark reminder of the lengths to which political forces can go to silence dissent.
**Interviewer:** Both films sound incredibly poignant, especially in light of their historical contexts. Why is it important to commemorate the uprising through cinema today?
**Nikolaos Kavadias:** Cinema has a unique ability to evoke emotions and provoke thought. By showcasing these films, we not only honor the memory of those who fought for freedom but also remind current and future generations of the ongoing struggle for justice. As I often say, “it requires virtue and courage for freedom,” and we must strive to carry that spirit forward.
**Interviewer:** The screenings are set for November 13th. What do you hope the audience takes away from this experience?
**Nikolaos Kavadias:** I hope they leave with a renewed sense of awareness about our shared history and the relevance of these struggles today. It’s crucial to remember that the fight for dignity and rights is ongoing. I also hope that both films inspire a deeper appreciation for the arts and how they play a role in activism and change.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Nikolaos, for sharing your insights. It sounds like a meaningful event, and we wish you all the best for the screenings.
**Nikolaos Kavadias:** Thank you! I look forward to seeing everyone there. It will be an evening of reflection, remembrance, and hopefully inspiration.