Screenwriter and father of contemporary Greek theatre whose work blended mysticism and realism
Outside his native Greece, the playwright Iakovos Kambanellis, who has died of renal failure aged 89, was perhaps best known as a screenwriter on films, including Stella (1955), directed by Michael Cacoyannis. Kambanellis, who was always attracted to contemporary versions of classic tales, had first written the script as a play, Stella With the Red Gloves, based on Carmen, but it was never produced on the Greek stage because of its sexual frankness. Shot in the streets of Athens, the film follows a man-hungry singer (Melina Mercouri) who refuses to marry her lover, and begins a passionate affair with a football player. The film made Mercouri into a star and boosted Greek cinema's international reputation.
Although he did not consider himself a poet, Kambanellis also wrote some fine lyric poems that were turned into memorable songs by Greece's leading composers.
Outside his native Greece, the playwright Iakovos Kambanellis, who has died of renal failure aged 89, was perhaps best known as a screenwriter on films, including Stella (1955), directed by Michael Cacoyannis. Kambanellis, who was always attracted to contemporary versions of classic tales, had first written the script as a play, Stella With the Red Gloves, based on Carmen, but it was never produced on the Greek stage because of its sexual frankness. Shot in the streets of Athens, the film follows a man-hungry singer (Melina Mercouri) who refuses to marry her lover, and begins a passionate affair with a football player. The film made Mercouri into a star and boosted Greek cinema's international reputation.
Although he did not consider himself a poet, Kambanellis also wrote some fine lyric poems that were turned into memorable songs by Greece's leading composers.
- 4/4/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.