The Festival bids an emotional farewell to Yorgos Panousopoulos

As the 28th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival keeps unraveling, the Greek cinema family suffered the loss of one its most distinguished directorial members. The Festival sadly bids farewell to the iconic auteur Yorgos Panousopoulos.

Film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, producer and editor Yorgos Panousopoulos was behind some of the most beautiful films in the history of Greek cinema. We will always carry within us the imagery, love stories, Greek light, ambiance and landscapes featured in his films Honeymoon, I Apenanti (From Across the Street), Mania (Frenzy), Love Me Not?, Love Knot, Athens Blues, Testosterone, In This Land Nobody Knew How to Cry.

His work as a film director was endowed with under-the-skin desires and emotional outbursts that aim directly at the audience's heart and soul. No-one in Greek cinema has ever filmed the human body like he did: with an ardent and pulsating sensationalism, just like the cinema experiences he offered us. He was the founder of Filmiki Productions, having also worked as a cinematographer in the films directed by his friends Nikos Perakis and Yorgos Tsemberopoulos, as the three of them formed the legendary triplette of the New Greek Cinema. Awarded at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Yorgos Panousopoulos was also bestowed with a special award within the framework of the 46th TIFF, as part of an overall tribute to his work, accompanied by a special edition. He leaves behind him a colossal legacy in Greek cinema.

The Festival would like to express its deepest condolences to his wife, famous Greek actress Betty Livanou, to his children and friends, to all the people who loved him and will remember him forever through his films.

With Yorgos Panousopoulos in our minds and hearts, we will make sure to keep a constant flow of information, photo material and press releases on the events-screenings of the 28th TIDF.