Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης (Michael Cacoyannis)

Mihalis Kakogiannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης) (June 11, 1922 – July 25, 2011) was a prominent Greek-Cypriot filmmaker best known for his 1964 film Zorba the Greek. He was known in English-language countries as Michael Cacoyannis. He directed the 1983 Broadway revival of the musical based on the film. Much of his work was rooted in classical texts, especially those of the Greek tragedian Euripides. He was nominated for an Academy Award 5 times, a record for any Greek Cypriot artist. He received Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film nominations for Zorba the Greek, and two nominations in the Foreign Language Film category for Electra and Iphigenia.

Kakogiannis was born in Limassol, Cyprus under the name Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης (Mikhalis Kakogiannis). In 1939, he was sent by his father, Sir Panagiotis Loizou Kakogiannis, to London to become a lawyer. However, after producing Greek-language programs for the BBC World Service during World War II, Kakogiannis found an interest in film instead. He ended up at the Old Vic school, and enjoyed a brief stage career there under the name "Michael Yannis" before he began working on films. After having trouble finding a directing job in the British film industry, Kakogiannis returned to Greece, and in 1953 he made his first film, Windfall in Athens. He was offered the chance to direct Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando in the film Reflections in a Golden Eye, but declined.
Kakogiannis had worked on many occasions with the Greek actress Irene Papas. In 1971, he teamed up once more with Papas for the film The Trojan Women, starring Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn. He was a close friend to Darryl F. Zanuck and George Cukor.
Filmography
The Cherry Orchard (1999): director, screenwriter, producer
Pano kato ke plagios (Up, Down and Sideways) (1993): director, screenwriter, producer
Glykeia patrida (Sweet Country) (1986): director, screenwriter, producer
Iphigenia (1977): director, screenwriter
Attilas '74 (1975): director, producer
The Trojan Women (1971): director, screenwriter, producer
Otan ta psaria vgikan sti steria (The Day the Fish Came Out) (1967): director, screenwriter, producer
Alexis Zorbas (Zorba the Greek) (1964): director, screenwriter, producer
Electra (1962): director, screenwriter, producer
Il Relitto (The Wastrel) (1961): director, screenwriter
Eroica (Our Last Spring) (1960): director, screenwriter, producer
To telefteo psemma (A Matter of Dignity) (1957): director, screenwriter, producer
To koritsi me ta mavra (The Girl in Black) (1956): director, screenwriter
Stella (1955): director, screenwriter, producer
Kyriakatiko xypnima (Windfall in Athens) (1954): director, screenwriter


Melina Merkouri "Agapi pou 'gines dikopo maheri"(Stela 1955)
Music: Manos Hadjidakis
Lyrics: Michalis Kakogiannis