The well-known actor lists the movies, plays, and books that have left a lasting impression on him
Books:
I was late to discover the world of books; I had trouble concentrating—when I “read” a book, my mind would wander to everything else except what I was reading… The first book that won me over was a play: Shakespeare’s *Romeo and Juliet*. I never realized how that happened. I was reading and experiencing it all at once!
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Over time, I’d say with certainty that I’ve developed a soft spot for Russian authors. Dostoevsky is my favorite. I know it’s not exactly a model choice, but ever since *Crime and Punishment*, as soon as I hear the word “book,” he’s the first thing that comes to mind.
Nevertheless, this summer I read a new book, *Return to Palermo* by Magali Discours, which left me with a very Mandelian aftertaste, and so Palermo became a priority on my list of upcoming trips.
Series:
I wouldn’t say I’m much of a TV series fan. But the first series that swept me away to such an extent that for two weeks it was my top priority—I tried not to do anything else and made up excuses to have free time just to watch it! That show is *Peaky Blinders*. I watched it and was so jealous! I’d love to be in that show!
Movies:
I’ll start with Giuseppe Tornatore’s *Cinema Paradiso*, which I saw relatively recently—a great movie! Childhood dreams, and how a child finds a way to nurture those dreams. All it takes is one person to tell them they can do it!
And I’ll continue with “Malena,” also by Giuseppe Tornatore… Ah… I think that says it all. (If I start writing, I won’t know where to stop.)
“Rebel Without a Cause,” directed by Nicholas Ray. It defined my entire teenage years, starring my favorite actor, James Dean.
A movie I often think about is “Holly Motors,” directed by Leos Carax. I saw it when I was still in drama school, and Denis Lavant’s performance really stuck with me.”
“The Godfather,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola. What a movie!
“Some Like It Hot,” directed by Billy Wilder. The wonderful Marilyn Monroe!
“City of God,” directed by Fernando Meirelles. It’s impossible not to be moved by this one.
“Fight Club,” directed by David Fincher. An amazing Brad Pitt and an amazing movie.
“Landscape in the Mist” by Theodoros Angelopoulos. One of the most visually beautiful films I’ve ever seen!
** I’ll wrap up with a movie I haven’t seen yet but is high on my list: “La Vita e Bella.” The reason I’m mentioning it is because I want to see it SO MUCH! I hope it’ll be summer and I’ll be at an outdoor cinema in some small, non-touristy town in Italy!
Theater Performances
There are so many; I’ll narrow it down and list the first ones that come to mind. I know I’ll remember many more along the way—maybe I won’t even remember my favorite one to write it down, but that’s just how it goes.
“Burnt City” by Punchdrunk—a three-hour experience, three of the most artistically enriching hours of my life
Aris Servetalis’s performances in *A Ridiculous Dream* and *The Heart of a Dog*. Konstantinos Avarikiotis’s performance in *Thought*
Also, “Relax Mynotis,” a monologue by the great Vasilis Papavasileiou.
I was impressed by “1984,” directed by Katerina Evangelatou.
“The Comedy of Mistakes” directed by Katerina Evangelatou—was another production that made me want to explore other theater techniques and was perhaps the catalyst that led me to begin researching commedia dell’arte (though the production itself wasn’t commedia dell’arte—I don’t want to be misunderstood).
“The Birds” by Aristophanes, directed by Nikos Karathanos.
I’d be doing a disservice, however, if I left my friend Kostas Silvestros’s production of Aristophanes’s *Plutus* off the list. For me, it was a revelation and a source of inspiration.
All these performances have left their mark on me… there are many others, but at some point I have to stop writing and join the conversation at the table, because I’ve already been cut off from everyone for quite a while.
