Grigoris Bithikotsis
Acting
Biography
Grigoris Bithikotsis (Greek Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης, December 11, 1922 – April 7, 2005) was a Greek folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades. He is considered one of the most important figures in Greek popular music. Bithikotsis was born in Peristeri, Athens, in 1922 to a poor family. He became interested in music at an early age, and acquired a bouzouki as soon as he was able. At first, he had to hide the instrument at a friend's house and practice in secret, as his father disapproved of the new rembetiko style that had captured his son's interest. He met composer Mikis Theodorakis in 1959 and the two collaborated producing folk songs. Bithikotsis composed over 80 songs, including: Stu Belami to ouzeri and Tou Votanikou o magas. He possessed a rich singing voice with which he performed his own compositions and those of Theodorakis, who frequently chose his friend Grigoris to perform his masterpieces. The two contributed greatly to the then-emerging laika style of Greek music. A leftist, he was exiled to the island of Makronisos in the 1950s during the reign of King Paul. Throughout his life, Bithikotsis performed frequent concerts at numerous venues, including one in Athens upon the occasion of his eightieth birthday. He died in Athens, in 2005, following three months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties.
Known For
The inextricably intertwined stories of five sex workers who live in a brothel at Pireas harbor.
The Red Lanterns
A poor neighborhood of Athens, Asyrmatos, is the center of the world for the people who live there and try in every way to escape from poverty and destitution. A handsome released youth, Ricos (Alekos Alexandrakis), is trying to make money, at the same time that his lover, Stefi (Aliki Georgoulis), is seeing other men and her father, Nekrophoras (Manos Katrakis), is trying to contribute in family finances. Rico will set up a job, but will spend the money raised before he can put it into action. As a result, one of his "partners" (Alekos Petsos) will commit suicide, leaving his pregnant wife, Eleni (Aleka Paizis), to her fate. Rikos, his beloved and her father, defeated and disappointed because of the expectations that were never fulfilled, will be forced to come to terms with the harsh reality.
Synoikia to Oneiro
Katerina, a poor girl, finds a job as a secretary and falls in love with her boss on a trip to Rome.
Modern Cinderella
Accused of stabbing his nightclub singer mistress to death, unscrupulous dockhand Christos is on the run. But he swears he's innocent. Could the harbour bum be telling the truth?
The Harbor Bum
Wandering Athens by night. A grand parade with actors, singers, composers, orchestras, attractions and generally performing artists of the night, in a series of great figures who made significant humorist. Sung by Gregory Bithikotsis Jenny Vanou, Mary Linda, Giannis Vogiatzis George Zambetas Laura Tony brushes etc. Displays orchestras Mouzaki George, Gerasimos Lavranos, Von-Von, Apostolatou and Mikis Theodorakis.
Athens by Night
A self-assured and extremely rich business entrepreneur who is convinced that money is everything has a chance encounter with a feisty young lawyer who couldn't care less about his financial status. In the end, can money buy love?
I stole my wife
The son of a shipowner is in love with a poor seamstress. When his father reacts to their love, he abandons his wealth and becomes a composer of a folk song, in order to live together.
The Dressmaker
A poor young man leaves the city that lives and works to go to Athens. On the way he will meet one mad, who falls in love with him , and a young women falling in love.
We without money
A poor young man, working hard, manages and becomes a captain on a ship of the shipowner, in whose home his mother worked older as a shipwreck. But he resigns when he discovers that the ship is dangerous.
Sometimes even the strong cry
The honest laborer falls into disfavour and is undermined by his factory's son because they both love the daughter of the factory owner without suspecting the secret that unites them.
The Devastated
Two bosom buddies who've won the lottery have a chance encounter with two beautiful but equally poor women who pose as rich. The two couples indulge in pleasures they couldn't afford up until now; but, what happens when the money runs out?
Play my sweety bouzouki
A young woman asks from a ship magnate to help her immigrate to Australia but he falls in love with her.
The Underdog
After years abroad, a naval officer reunites with his mother, who has planned an arranged marriage to a beautiful and affluent heiress. But, he is madly in love with another woman. They say love is blind. Can he have the love of his life?
I leave with Bitterness in Foreign Countries
The son of a ruthless moneylender loves a girl whose mother was his father's first love. When he refuses to accept her as his daughter, his son leaves home and takes a job in a car repair shop.
Those who forgot God
Nikos Liosis returns to his homeland, with the wounds of the Korean War still fresh in his mind and body. His wife Vera and all his relatives think him dead. He does not want to be present in his home in the state where he is. One day Vera meets him at random. He denies the identity of Nikos Liossis and is recommended as Alexis Sarris. She asks him to play the role of her real husband who never ceases to love, to avoid the marriage forced by her parents.
The man who returned from pain
Two friends (Thanasis Vengos and Vasilis Diamantopoulos) meet after many years and recollect the tragi-comic events they went through during the German occupation.
Hands Up, Hitler
A sharp altercation will pave the way for a brilliant career when a shameless liar meets his future employer: a resourceful parliamentarian. But, what happens when he tells one lie too many? Is his flair for fiction always beneficial?
Liar Wanted
Two persons try to become rich using an... armchair.
The Stupid Face
The tragic story of a woman who divorces her rich husband after the intrigues of her mother-in-law.
Angels Without Wings
The son of a rich industrialist is in love with a poor girl, but his father wants to marry him to the daughter of a childhood friend and partner.