Michael Cacoyannis

Cypriot theatre, film and opera director, writer, producer, and actor. Born 11 June 1922 in Limassol, Cyprus - Died 25 July 2011 in Athens, Greece.

He studied law in London, England and then dramatic arts at the Central School of Dramatic Art and Old Vic in 1944 and 1946 respectively.
At the age of just 22, he took over the direction of the BBC program "Κυπριακή Ώρα" (Cyprus Hour).
In 1947, he began his career in the theatre as an actor. In 1953, he moved to Greece and, in 1954, he directed his first film, "Κυριακάτικο Ξύπνημα", a film that participated in the Cannes Film Festival. The very next year, he directed "Στέλλα". This film also competed at the Cannes Film Festival, while in the USA it was awarded the Golden Globe for best foreign language film. His third film was "Το κορίτσι με τα μαύρα" (1956), which also competed at the Cannes Film Festival, and won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film, while it was also awarded a Silver Medal at the Moscow Film Festival. In 1961, he directed "[url=https://www.discogs.com/master/780397-%CE%9C%CE%AF%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%98%CE%B5%CE%BF%CE%B4%CF%89%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%97%CE%BB%CE%AD%CE%BA%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B1-Electra]Ηλέκτρα[/url]", a film that won 25 international awards, including two awards at the Cannes Film Festival (Grand Technical Award and Best Adapted Screenplay), a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (1962) and awards at the Thessaloniki Film Festival. His most acclaimed work is the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek", an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel of the same name, with 7 Oscar nominations, 5 Golden Globes, and an International Critics' Award. He was nominated for an Academy Award five times, three of which for his film "Zorba the Greek" (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay).
In parallel with his film career, he directed troupes in Greece, Europe and USA, in a total of 36 theatrical works, including many ancient dramas and 7 operas.
In addition to directing, he also wrote, produced, translated, and designed dozens of stage plays and opera productions.
He wrote the lyrics of two particularly popular songs: "Αγάπη Πούγινες Δίκοπο Μαχαίρι" and "Εφτά Τραγούδια Θα Σου Πω", which were first heard in his film "Στέλλα", with music by Manos Hadjidakis and performed by Melina Mercouri.
He was responsible for the lighting of the Acropolis, Athens monuments.
In 2004, he founded the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (Ίδρυμα Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης) in Athens, Greece.
For his cultural contribution and work, he was honoured with many distinctions in Greece, Cyprus, and abroad.

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