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At the age of 89 passed away the great Greek director Michalis Kakoyanis. Few days ago he was admitted with cardiac problems in Evangelizmos hospital in Athens.
    The director born inCyprus has won world fame in 1964 whith the creation of the film "Zorba, the Greek" screening the eponymous novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. The music is written by Mikis Theodorakis, and the lead part is played by Anthony Quinn. The film won three Oscars and became an absolute worldwide hit. The title track, brilliantly danced by Quinn became a symbol of the Greek lifestyle for decades.

Among the great successes of Kakoyanis is also the film "Stella" featuring Melina Mercouri in the lead role and with the music of another great Greek composer - Manos Hadzidakis. The film was created in 1955 and the same year was presented on the festival in Cannes, where Mercury met her future husband Gilles Dasen.

Michalis Kakoyanis studied law, directing and drama in London and at the same time worked in the Greek editor’s office of the BBC. He began his career as an actor at the National Theatre in England in 1947 and in 1953 he returned to Greece and took up directing. He is the Author of the films "Sunday Awakening", "A Girl in Black", "End lie" trilogy and "Elektra," "Triad" and "Iphigenia." He has also directed theatrical productions in the U.S. and France.
    In 2004 he established in Athens a Cultural Foundation in his name, which is located on 206Piraeus Avenue. Michalis Kakoyanis was awarded the Order of the Golden Phoenix in Greece and the Order of and Arts and Letters in France. For his overall work he was rewarded by the Thessaloniki Film Festival and the Athens Academy of Sciences, he is also awards winner in the U.S., France, Israel, Cyprus.