Coppola at the 22nd Panorama

The director gave a master class, received an award

By Panayiotis Panagopoulos - Kathimerini

Francis Ford Coppola was a pivotal figure at the 22nd Panorama of European Cinema, where he gave a master class last Friday and also received an award at Sunday’s closing ceremony.

The master class, which took place at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Tavros, was more of an open discussion with the audience, during which the award-winning filmmaker talked about his first steps in cinema, about the importance of theater education in his film career and about the people with whom he has worked and who have influenced him.

He also talked about his decision to direct films that carry a more personal perspective from now on.

Coppola further discussed the influence of his family on the shaping of his personality, influences that are also evident in his latest film, “Tetro,” which explores the explosive dynamics that develop in an artistic family.

“Tetro” was screened at the Panorama’s closing ceremony, at which Coppola received an honorary award. Honorary awards were also presented to film director Theo Angelopoulos and veteran actress Maro Kontou.

The Panorama prize was given by the committee of judges to Catherine Breillat’s “Bluebeard,” while a special prize was awarded to Valeria Golino for her performance in Giuseppe Piccioni’s “Giulia Doesn’t Date at Night.”

The audience award went to “Hrysoskoni” (Gold Dust), Margarita Manda’s debut feature film. The FIPRESCI film critics federation prize went to Vladimir Paskaljevic’s “Devil’s Town.”