| Reference Type |
book
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| Title |
Greek Cinema Across Australia â Behind the Scenes |
| Author(s) | Peter Yiannoudes |
| Town |
Melbourne |
| State |
VIC |
| Country |
Australia |
| Publication Date |
00-00-2010 |
| Citation Date |
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| Comments |
Peter Yiannoudes is a veteran of cinema. He was the co-founder of Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures, which opened the Cosmopolitan Theatre in 1961 amongst many others in the Melbourne region. His passion and determination in the theatre business are shown in this book, written by the great man himself.
Chapter Two talks about Greek Cinema and the Greek Community. This chapter provides an interesting overview of the beginnings of Greek Cinema in Australia; who instigated the Greek Cinema experience in Australia, who contributed to this and what the final effect is in the 21st century.
Chapter Four is vital for researchers to understand how and by whom were Greek films brought to Australia. This chapter emphasises that for patrons, not only was watching Greek movies a form of amusement, but a way that they were able to stay in contact with their heritage, language, culture and grassroots.
Chapter Seven, specifically, page 102 discusses the Cosmopolitan Theatre in depth and provides a summary of the theatre. It delves into how and why the hall was purchased, what the first screening was, a photo of the Cosmopolitan Theatre as it looks today after it was converted into a Hall, and many other vital pieces of information that provided for a basis for the research.
To conclude, the book âGreek Cinema Across Australiaâ provides a basis for understanding the presence of Greek Cinema in Australia in the 1950âs and 1960âs. Also, it presents researchers with information on why there was a need and such a demand for this new cinema experience in Melbourne. (Corene Innes)
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The piece on The Sun Theatre on pages 95-96 is an informative insight on the years it was owned by Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures, operating as a Greek-language cinema.
Understanding where and when Greek-language cinema was shown gives us an insight into the cultural melting pot Australia was at that time. During the period 1963-1981, European diasporas were situated in Melbourneâs western suburbs, and we can assume from the operation and ownership of The Sun during this time, that the Greek community were heavily engaged in recreational activities in Yarraville.
Listing other Melbourne theatres which were saved from a dismal fate at the time by operating as foreign-language cinemas, The Sun Theatre was too, reborn for another purpose to be kept operational by the niche market of the Greek community.
Few other publications on the history of The Sun detail much about the time period that the theatre was owned by Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures, and films that were screened at the cinema. This piece also lists multiple owners following its sale in 1981, stating that each owner had plans for the building other than its operation as cinema. Michael Smith is mentioned by role, not by name, as refurbishing the theatre and operating it as a cinema once again.
This text may be understood as somewhat a primary source, and the co-founder of Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures is the author of this publication. (Jessica Meli)
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| Synopsis |
This book celebrates the 50 years of my presence and work in Australia in the area of entertaining business for the Greek-Australian community and beyond. It also manifests the pleasure I had in working with people in Greece, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand in order to promote Greek Cinema as an important aspect in the life of Greek migrants, especially during the post-World War II period, when the chain migration movement from Greece and Cyprus to Australia reached its highest point. With this book, I record, evidence and bring to the attention of interested people unknown stories in the entertaining business in Australia and New Zealand. For Greek migrants of the late 50's and 60's, watching Greek movies was not just a way of amusing themselves, but a way of staying in touch with their homeland, its language and culture.
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Pages 95-96 provide a succinct informative history on The Sun Theatre under the ownership of Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures between 1963 and 1981. Details on why it was acquired by the Greek community and films that screened at The Sun Theatre during its opening and closing nights are listed. (Jessica Meli)
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tags: Cosmopolitan Theatre Greek-language cinema The Sun Theatre Yarraville
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