The Greek filmmaker Giorgos Panousopoulos has died

Director and filmmaker Giorgos Panousopoulos died at the age of 84, leaving behind an important artistic legacy. One of the most distinctive and sensual voices of Greek cinema, he was a creator who, more than most, celebrated the Greek summer and urban atmosphere, leaving a strong imprint on the big screen.

His films were presented at major international festivals, earned the love of Greek audiences and frequently returned to the spotlight in tributes and film analyses — influencing generations of filmmakers and audiovisual creators.

Throughout his long career he shaped a personal cinematic universe, where sensuality, urban atmosphere and subtle humor coexisted with a deeply human perspective on his characters.

His career

Giorgos Panousopoulos was born in Athens in 1942 and from an early age turned to the art of imagery. He studied cinema and photography abroad and began his professional career as a director of photography, developing a special relationship with the power of the cinematic image.

Before fully dedicating himself to directing, he worked on documentaries, advertising productions and television projects. In his films he often assumed multiple roles — from scriptwriting and directing to cinematography and production — essentially functioning as a complete creator behind every aspect of the filmmaking process.

In 1977 he received a special achievement distinction for his cinematography in the film “Archontes” by Manousos Manousakis.

During his career he collaborated on numerous important productions and brought his cinematic aesthetic to advertising, television and major international events. His contribution to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games is a characteristic example of his multifaceted activity.

As a director he made “Honeymoon” in 1979 and continued with the iconic “The Others Across” in 1981. His film “Mania” (1985) competed at the 36th Berlin International Film Festival, and “Do You Love Me?” (1989) at the 46th Venice International Film Festival. These were followed by “Free Diving” (1995), “One Day in the Night” (2001) and “Testosterone” (2004).

His last film

“In This Country No One Knew How to Cry”, filmed in 2018, was also his final movie. The carefree “In This Country No One Knew How to Cry” is a sunny and witty comedy, infused with the salty air of an idyllic small island in the Aegean and filled with the pleasures and joys of everyday, simple people.

Panousopoulos leaves behind an important body of work that contributed decisively to the image of Greek cinema and audiovisual creation, inspiring new generations of creators. He co-founded Filmic Company together with Nikos Perakis and Giorgos Tseberopoulos.

His wife was the actress Betty Livanou.

“Goodbye” from the Thessaloniki Film Festival

“No one filmed the body like he did”

In 2005, within the framework of the 46th Thessaloniki Film Festival, a major tribute to his work was held. At that time the films “Honeymoon,” “The Others Across,” “Mania,” “Do You Love Me?” and “Free Diving” were screened, as well as television productions such as “Tafeia,” “The Feast of the Ancestors,” “Millennium 2000,” and “The Last Sunset of the Millennium.”

The festival bid farewell to the creator with a post stating, among other things:

“…Giorgos Panousopoulos signed some of the most beautiful films of Greek cinema. The images, the romances, the Greek light, the atmosphere and the landscapes from his films will accompany us forever: Honeymoon, The Others Across, Mania, Do You Love Me?, Free Diving, One Day in the Night, Testosterone, In This Country No One Knew How to Cry.

His cinema is full of subdued desires and emotional outbursts that aim directly at the viewer’s heart. No one filmed the body like he did. With a sensuality that was impetuous and torrential, just like the cinematic experiences he offered us. He was a founder of Filmic Company and had participated as director of photography in films by his friends Nikos Perakis and Giorgos Tseberopoulos.

The three of them were the legendary trio of the New Greek Cinema. Awarded at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, Giorgos Panousopoulos had also been honored with a special award at the festival’s 46th edition, as part of a tribute to his work, which was accompanied by a special publication. He leaves behind a great cinematic legacy.”