Nadia Tass visits Athens for the film “The Journey”

Contacts will be made with the Ministry of Culture of Greece , by the well known Greek American actress Olympia Dukakis and the Greek Australian Director Nadia Tass, in order to discuss possible support of the Greek State towards the film “the Journey” an international joint production whereby Australia and other European countries will be taking part. If the film is actually made, which is something possible, it will be the first film that Dukakis and Tass in Greece . As Ms Tass stated, most sponsors have already been found but the cooperation of the Greek State is necessary, since most of the film and the production will be taking place in Greece .
Ms. Tass has been working on this film for over two years, but as she states with disappointment, she did not manage to get any support from the former Government.
The film unfolds in both today’s Greece and that of World War Two. Based on the true story of cabaret dancer Madalena Hadzopoulou, it’s about a young Greek-American who uncovers the story of how Madalena aided the Resistance while entertaining the German military.
Shootings will be taking place in Xanthi, Athens, Paris and New York and Nadia is hoping that her film will be seen world wide and believes in the protagonist of the film, Olympia Dukakis who has managed to capture the feelings of her heroine and as Nadia Tass states “she has the power to play a great variety of different roles”
Nadia Tass is one of Australia ’s most respected and unique filmmakers. Tass’ study of acting and directing in Australia and New York , has given her performance as a director a fine and unique style.
After pursuing an academic career in Arts and Psychology, Tass began acting and later directing theatre in Melbourne ’s vibrant Carlton district. Her experience as a director of theatre is extensive and diverse, ranging from improvised theatre to conventional classical and contemporary pieces at La Mama, the Pram Factory, Playbox, the Open Stage, and the Melbourne Theatre Company. Amongst her MTC work she has directed three Louis Nowra plays: “Summer of the Aliens”, “Cosi”, and “Miss Bosnia ”; all received critical acclaim and box office success.
More recently Tass directed the musical theatre production of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”. Adapted by David Parker from the C.S. Lewis novel, the production premiered in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve 2002 to rave reviews and sell out business. It continues to tour major theatres in Australia , and opens in New Zealand in 2005
Tass’ career as a film director began in 1986 with her first feature film “Malcolm”. Her classical training helped her bring a fine mix of comedy and tragedy to “Malcolm”, the story of a socially inept man who uses his considerable mechanical skills to rob banks. The film received critical acclaim throughout the world, winning 21 international awards; in Australia it won eight Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Film. Tass, herself, was honoured with the AFI Best Director award, the prestigious Byron Kennedy Award for the pursuit of excellence, and the Sydney Critics Award for Best Director, amongst others.
Tass then directed and co-produced her second feature “Rikky and Pete” backed by United Artists (U.S.) – a comedy about a brother and sister and their journey into the Australia outback. This film was praised in America and Europe for its in-depth portrayal of the characters’ sibling relationship and for its excellent execution. “Rikky and Pete” enjoyed a successful release in Australia .
In 1989 Tass directed and produced the comedy feature “The Big Steal” – the story of a teenage boy who buys a car to impress a girl but all he gets is trouble. “The Big Steal” was released in Australia in September 1990, and was the box office success story for the Australian industry that year. “The Big Steal” was nominated for nine Australian Film Institute awards in 1990 and sold strongly on the international market.
Nadia Tass directed her first film in the United States in 1990. “Pure Luck”, produced for Universal Studios, starred Danny Glover, Martin Short and Sam Wanamaker. The film opened on 1600 screens in August 1991.
“Stark”, shot in 1993, marked Tass’ debut into the world of television. The 3 part mini-series made for BBC UK and ABC Australia, and based on Ben Elton’s best-selling satirical novel, starred Ben Elton, Colin Friels, and Jacqueline McKenzie. The massive interest in the series demanded that a cut down movie length version was also released.
Esteemed writer/producer Terry Hayes sought Tass to direct the feature “Mr Reliable” in 1996. The film, which was based on a true story, premiered at the 1996 Edinburgh Film Festival before being released by Polygram Filmed Entertainment (UK) in Britain and Australia . “Mr Reliable” was nominated for the 1996 Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Film.
Tass directed “Amy”, starring Rachel Griffiths, Ben Mendelsohn and Alana de Roma in 1998. Amy has enjoyed international critical and box office success especially in Japan and France , and has also been a hit on the festival circuit. The film has won 23 international awards including the 1998 People’s Choice Award and Best Film, Grand Prix Cannes Junior and the Le Prix Education Nationale at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999, the Le Prix du Public at the Festival du Film de Paris in 2000, Grand Jury Award for Best Film for Outstanding Contribution to Humanity at the Asia Pacific Film Festival Hong Kong 1999, Best Feature Film, Grand Public, Best Actress (Alana de Roma), Best Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) at Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Quebec, Canada 2000.
More recently, Tass has been in demand in the U.S. where she has completed four high end television movies. In 2000, she directed “The Miracle Worker” starring Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Allison Elliot and David Strathairn for ABC ’s The Wonderful World of Disney. It was the third top rating movie on U.S. Network television in 2001. She followed this up with “Child Star, The Shirley Temple Story” in 2001, again for ABC ’s The Wonderful World of Disney. Tass shot “Undercover Christmas” starring Jami Gertz and Tyne Daly for CBS in 2003. It not only won its ratings slot, but was also CBS ’ top rating made for television movie for the 2003 season, and was third top rating movie on American television that year. In 2004, Nadia directed “Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” starring Mia Farrow, AnnaSophia Robb and Jordan Bridges for The WB through Julia Roberts’ Red Om production company, and Revolution Studios.
Tass currently has a number of feature films in development with American studios, in addition to the slate of projects being developed through her production company Cascade Films.
(source: voice of greece)