“Theo, I’m Here Again!”: Harvey Keitel moved Athens at the opening of the 16th AOAFF Powered by DEI

The 16th Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI co-organized by the Culture, Sports, and Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA), marked last night, Thursday 18th of June, the official opening of this year’s Festival at the Open Theater of Kolonos, in the most unforgettable and moving way: in attendance of the legendary actor Harvey Keitel for the screening of Theodoros Angelopoulos’ Cannes-award-winning film, “ULYSSES’ GAZE” in which he stars.

The great movie star returned to Athens 32 years later, accompanied by his partner Daphna Kastner and their family and clearly moved he paid tribute to the late Greek director for their artistic collaboration and deep friendship, next to Theodoros’ Angelopoulos life partner, Phoebe, and special collaborators and companions of the director. 

On behalf of the Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI, the guests were welcomed by the Festival’s General Director, Tatiana Pappa and Editor-in-Chief of cinemagazine.gr and the section «Greek Short Stories», Panos Gkenas, who spoke about the significance of the tribute evening and Angelopoulos’ cinema, describing it as a cinema «Greek, international, temperamental, poetic. It is a form of cinema that engages in direct dialogue with the history of the films as well as History itself. It is a form of cinema capable of interpreting the passage of centuries through the stillness and patience of its frames. I specifically remember an old university essay in the 90s that held in its title that Angelopoulos is faster than "Speed" and indeed they are right if you think about it».

Next, the audience that had filled the imposing Open Theater of Kolonos was welcomed, on behalf of the Mayor of Athens and the city, by the president of OPANDA, Roxani Bey, who emphasized the festival’s importance as an integral part of Athens’ cultural identity, transforming historic corners of the city into open-air movie theaters every summer with free entrance for the public. Referring to Harvey Keitel’s appearance on the hill of Ippios Kolonos, she described it as a special honor for the festival.

«Theo, I’m here again»

Harvey Keitel, clearly moved, looked up at the sky above the Open Theater  of Kolonos and addressed his old friend and colleague with the words «Theo, I’m here again!», drawing warm applause from the audience. The multifaceted and iconic actor recalled his first meeting with Angelopoulos, when the Greek director visited him in New York to offer him the role in “Ulysses’ Gaze”, a role that Keitel had been asked to take on following the death of Gian Maria Volonté in the middle of the film’s shooting.

Speaking about the filmmaker, Keitel said: “In turbulent times, with the world falling apart, just like now, Theodoros stood out and fought for everything that is true and honorable.” The actor concluded his speech with a broken voice, telling the audience that he had crossed an ocean, that his presence in Greece and the screening were an honor for him, and that Angelopoulos’ spirit and love would always be with him.

And he bowed to the large audience, thanking them for coming and praising the Greek people for all they have contributed to the world.

An evening dedicated to the great man who is no longer with us

The occasion took on the atmosphere of a family gathering, held in honor of Theodoros Angelopoulos. In the orchestra pit of the Open Theater of Kolonos stood up the director’s life partner, Phoebe Oikonomopoulou-Angelopoulou, who said with emotion: “Theodoros’ question at that time was whether he could rediscover the innocence of his gaze, just as it was the first time he looked through the lens”, their daughters Anna, Katerina, and Eleni with their families, as well as key collaborators and actors who left their mark on his filmography, such as the director of photography Giorgos Arvanitis and the composer Eleni Karaindrou. 

Also in attendance were the director-assistant director Margarita Manta, the actors Kostas Apostolidis, Mania Papadimitriou, Tania Paleologou, Alexandra Aidini, Maria Papalamprou and Michele Valley, Alexandros Lampridis, Panagiotis Mpougiouris as well as the Artistic Director of the Onassis Foundation Aphrodite Panagiotakou. 

Before the screening began, a minute of silence was observed in memory of all those who had passed away in the thirty-one years since the film was made.

Another highlight of the evening was the young audience that packed the Open Theater of Kolonos, the vast majority of whom had not yet been born or were children when the film was first released in 1995. 

We would like to wholeheartedly thank Phoebe Oikonomopoulou-Angelopoulou, life partner of the great Greek director and their daughters Anna, Katerina and Eleni for their collaboration and support.

Also, we would like to express our sincere thanks for their invaluable support: 

Electra Hotels & Resorts for the hospitality to our guests.

Aegean Airlines, air transport sponsor, for their traveling.

Elite for the delicious treats that were served during the evening.

The restaurants COOKOOVAYA, ERGON, DOPIOS and DOLLI•S for the gracious hospitality towards our special guests. 

Photographers: Yiannis Stefanidis, Sophia Papastrati

Through its collaboration with the Athens Open Air Film Festival powered by DEI, Dei continues for a third year to bring cinema to emblematic spots in Athens, offering the public unique film experiences, while turning summer nights into moments of art, imagination and light.

#aoaff16