Critics don’t hold back when it comes to Lana Del Rey. The 26-year old singer has been called “a highly medicated Fiona Apple,” targeted for supposedly not knowing who she is, and categorized as having a “career founded on bad faith” — harsh words that are acknowledged by Del Rey herself.

Born Elizabeth Grant in New York, Del Rey showed a vulnerable, sensitive side in a recent interview with Canada’s Fashion magazine. The singer spoke of the copious criticism that both her music and her self-created persona receive.

“I feel like my work’s important, but I don’t always feel like I get respect for it,” Del Rey told the publication. “I don’t believe in the school of hard knocks, although I’ve had them. All that stuff about whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is so not true.”

Del Rey went on to explain how the criticism affects her, adding, “When I feel like people don’t like (my) music and that the 10 years I spent making what I made was not for a good reason, that makes me want to drink again.” She has spoken about trouble with alcohol in the past, telling British GQ about teenage years spent struggling with alcoholism.

In what may be a strategy to be taken more seriously, Del Rey’s music has recently made the move past the radio airwaves, as her song Young and Beautiful for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby was featured prominently in the film. She also recently covered classic songs including Nancy Sinatra’s Summer Wine and Leonard Cohen’s Chelsea Hotel No. 2.

She will headline the second day of the festival, after legendary British rockers Echo and the Bunnymen take to Terra Vibe’s main stage on July 8.  Del Rey initially began performing in clubs in New York City at age 18 and signed her first recording contract when she was 20 years old with 5 Points Records, releasing her first digital album Lana Del Ray a.k.a. Lizzy Grant in January 2010.

Del Rey bought herself out of the contract with 5 Points Records in April 2010 and signed a joint contract with Interscope, Polydor, and Stranger Records in October 2011. After she released her debut single Video Games in June 2011, a music video created by Del Rey for the song was posted on YouTube in August 2011. After the song became a viral internet hit with over 20 million views, her second studio album, Born to Die, was released in January 2012.

The album sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide in 2012, making it the fifth best-selling album of 2012. Charting across Europe, the album spawned numerous top ten hits, including Blue Jeans, National Anthem, Born to Die, and Summertime Sadness.

Presented by The Greek America Foundation, the event is being held May 25 at the El Capitan Theater, with “Flipping Out” star Jenni Pulos hosting. The Gabby Awards celebrate Greek North Americans who strive to be the very best at what they do. Whether in business, philanthropy, the arts, education or other areas of interest, they celebrate the pursuit of excellence as a core Greek ideal, and are inspired by people who pursue excellence. Besides awards that will be handed out, three people will receive special honors: Sid Ganis will get the Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments as former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and as a producer. His award will be presented by Fox Films Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos; Kary Antholis, president of HBO Miniseries, will be presented with the Aien Aristeuien (“Ever to Excel”) award for his work at HBO. His award will be given by Emmy Award winner Greg Yaitanes; Patricia Field, known for her award-winning work on “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” will receive the Visionary Award for sharing her vision through style and fashion. Her award will be presented by Nasty Gal founder and CEO Sophia Amoruso and Bravo TV’s “Dukes of Melrose” star Christos Garkinos.

Melina Kanakaredes, Olympia Dukakis, John Varvatos, Christoforos Papakialiatis, Stan, Miss Teen America Eleana Frangedis, and many others are also expected to attend. A pre-gala reception will be held at Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and guests are also invited to view short films at “Greek Night at the Movies.” Elena Paparizou will perform at the after party on the Paramount Pictures lot.

For further information on events happening during Gabby Awards weekend, or to find out how to get tickets, visit gabbyawards.com

Famed guitarist and singer/songwriter Orianthi Panagaris, better known as Orianthi, is shooting her latest music video in the Los Angeles-area and is calling on fans to be a part of it.

The Greek-Australian musician will be in Huntington Park, CA to film a video for the title track off her album, “Heaven In This Hell.” She’s calling “all fans of Rock” to show up on Saturday, April 27 from 3pm-8pm at The Escarpment (Stage E) at 5610 Soto Street to be an extra. Fans should “come dressed to Rock and Roll,” in the style of 70′s/80′s, leather, hipster, and rocker.

“Heaven In This Hell” is Orianthi’s third studio album, and is described as “a more gritty, less pop-oriented album than anything Orianthi has done before.”

In order to be an extra for Orianthi’s music video, RSVP is necessary at: weaponsofme.com/orianthi/

Watch a past Greek Reporter interview with Orianthi:

The play, which stars Greek-American Alex Lyras, focuses on the controversy of globalization through the rise and fall and resurrection of Apple, illuminating how Apple’s former CEO and his obsessions shape our lives. It follows the trail all the way to China to investigate the factories where millions toil to make iPhones and iPads, shining a light on the very human price we pay for high-tech toys.

“Agony and the Ecstasy” has been somewhat controversial due to its topic and sensitivity towards Apple and its former CEO. It has also received tons of buzz, having been performed over 40 times around the world in many languages.

Lyras has acted on the stage in both New York and Los Angeles. His first solo performance in “desperelics” led to a television development deal with NBC. He produced and acted in the indie feature “Mona,” winner of Best Picture at the 2008 Malibu Film Festival. He will also be featured in the upcoming “Heterosexuals,” written and directed by Robert McCaskill, who is directing the LA version of “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.”

Additional performances through June 5 are as follows:
Sunday @ 7 pm: April 28 only
Wednesdays @ 8 pm: April 10; May 15, 22, 29; June 5 (dark April 17 & 24, May 1 & 8)

WHERE:
Theatre Asylum
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038
(1½ blocks west of Vine)

CONTACT:
800-838-3006 or agonyecstasy.brownpapertickets.com/

TICKETS:
General admission: $20
Students (w/valid ID) & Seniors: $15

Christina Marouda is the founder and chair of the board of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. The star-studded event, well in its 11th year, is expected to attract film-lovers and important industry-players, April 9-14 at the Archlight in Hollywood. 

Eleven years ago, an ambitious Greek girl from Crete arrived in the U.S. and began working on her concept to create the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Back then, people may have called her crazy (let’s face it, she wasn’t even Indian!), perhaps even suggesting that she abandon her dream of putting together a festival which could serve as a bridge between Bollywood and Hollywood. Now Cretans are known to be stubborn, so maybe this is the reason why Christina Marouda, together with a great team of volunteers, managed to create the largest and most popular Indian Festival in North America.

When people ask Christina how a Greek managed to start an Indian Festival, she responds: “When I was a little girl in Crete, my sister’s friends from India would send us tapes of their favorite films…we would invite all our friends for a half-day celebration of drama, dance, songs…I loved it and it grew in me deeply.”

There was a lot of cold-calling in the early stages of the festival, as Marouda and her associates reached out to filmmakers to submit for IFFLA’s inaugural program. The small but dedicated team pursued sponsors, secured travel arrangements and hospitality for guests, and pounded the pavement from Hollywood to Little India to raise support and awareness for the festival.

“We look back on our first decade with a sense of exhilaration and pride. From the very beginning, our mission was to establish a film festival that would not only pave the way for a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture in the U.S., but also serve as the portal between the two largest entertainment industries in the world,” says Marouda.

While IFFLA sprung from modest means, the drive and dedication of Marouda and her ever-growing team proved fruitful as the festival developed into a breeding ground for emerging talent. IFFLA’s first ever Film Fund Grant winner Kranti Kanade’s winning script, “Against Itself (a.k.a. Gandhi of the Month),” is now a feature film starring Oscar-nominated actor Harvey Keitel in the lead role.

Marouda points out, “We’ve had filmmakers who came here with a three-minute short film some years ago, their first time out of India, who are now making films with U.S. studios and are being represented by top agencies like Creative Artists Agency.”

IFFLA 2013 Line Up and Red Carpet events

Today, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) proudly announced its 2013 lineup of narrative and documentary features and short films for this year’s festival. The impressive program reflects the rich diversity of Indian cinema, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, as well as the future of Indian filmmaking, with cutting-edge filmmakers bringing their acclaimed films to Los Angeles.

Highlights include: a special screening of Mira Nair’s THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST, a political thriller based on the New York Times bestseller with a star-studded cast; MISS LOVELY by Ashim Ahluwalia, a dark look at the seedy underbelly of Bollywood C-movies and soft-porn during the 1980’s, that premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes last year; PEDDLERS, Vasan Bala’s directorial debut, which premiered at the 2012 International Critics’ Week, a crime thriller following the desperation of young drug runners who are merely looking to survive; SHAHID, based on the true story of Shahid Azmi, a human rights activist murdered in India in 2010, directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by Guneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap; and Sundance and Berlin favorite SALMA, directed by Kim Longinotto, a documentary about one South Indian woman’s courageous journey in the face of mass oppression.

The opening and closing night red-carpet galas include screenings of Anurag Kashyap’s GANGS OF WASSEYPUR, which will open the festival, while Deepa Mehta’s MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN will be featured as the closing night film.

The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. Celebrating its 11th year, IFFLA will run April 9 to 14 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception.

“Our slate of films this year showcases path-breaking works of emerging and established Indian filmmakers that are making waves at top-tier film festivals around the world,” said Christina Marouda, IFFLA’s Founder and Chair of the Board.

Attending the festival this year to present their films will be a host of celebrated filmmakers, including Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga, Hansal Mehta, Vasan Bala, Nitin Kakkar, and S.S. Rajamouli among others.

Two films at the festival this year celebrate the power of Indian cinema: CELLULOID MAN, a documentary about beloved Indian film expert and archivist P.K. Nair, and the charming FILMISTAN, the fictional tale of one man’s love of Hindi films and how cinema has the power to unite us all.

More information about all the films in the line-up can be found below and at http://www.indianfilmfestival.org.

The film looks at the impact of the unregulated arms trade, and will screen in the “History Lessons” shorts program. It has also been selected to be one of four shorts in the Tribeca Film Festival Online Competition. The screening allows the film to be eligible for an Academy Award nomination.

Papas partnered with the Control Arms coalition, which includes aid agency Oxfam, to produce the film. Shot in London, New York City and Seattle, the short features four arms trafficking experts who recount their first hand experiences with the black market in arms trade, and was produced to shed some light on an industry that generates over $60 billion annually. The Arms Trade Treaty is being negotiated at the United Nations between March 18-28, and the four experts are calling on governments to agree to the legally-binding treaty.

In a statement, Papas said, “It is an honor to be part of such a prestigious festival as the Tribeca Film Festival. Tribeca offers us the opportunity to screen the film to new audiences and spread awareness on how the unregulated arms trade escalates conflict around the world. I sincerely hope that our world leaders will achieve a meeting of the minds at these upcoming Arms Trade Treaty negotiations.”

For more information on the short films screening at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, visit www.tribecafilm.com. And for more on “A Short Film About GUNS,” check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AShortFilmAboutGuns.

Stereo Mike (photo) opens the “Sound of Greece at SXSW” event with a performance at the world famous festival tonight. SXSW (South by Southwest) Music, Film and Interactive Festival will showcase Greek music for the first time in 2013.

Supported by Earth Friendly Products, SXSW 2013 will go Greek this year with the sounds of some of GREECE’s top music exponents, including MTV Best Greek Act award winner Stereo Mike, Imam Baildi and Plastic Flowers.

In a one-of-a-kind event, SXSW 2013 audiences will have the opportunity to witness the sounds of some of Greece’s leading bands, an international experience opportunity that transcends space and time.

Brothers Lysandros and Orestis Falireas and their eight-piece band called Imam Baildi will perform on Friday, March 15th, at the International Day Stage of the Austin Convention Center, while MTV award winner Stereo Mike will be the featured artist of the International Hip Hop Night, taking place at the Meduse Lounge on Wednesday, March 13th. Plastic Flowers will perform on March 15 at 11pm at The Velveta Room.

SXSW festival attendees will have the unique chance to hear vintage remixes of Greek music from the 1940s, ‘50s and ’60s as the internationally acclaimed young Greek band Imam Baildi brings its music to the festival. They are joined by the first Greek hip hop act to play the music conference, Stereo Mike, a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and rapper with three albums and many awards under his belt, who is also filming every step of his unprecedented travels from London to Austin, all of which will result in a behind-the-scenes, artist-cut, honest-to-heart and all-around hilarious documentary. Mike will edit the footage himself and produce limited edition copies of the documentary for backers of the Kickstarter campaign created to fund the filming.

Stereo Mike has an established international reputation as one of the most innovative contemporary artists from Greece, one whose melodies, irresistible hooks and social message transcend musical boundaries. Stereo Mike was officially born with the release of his debut album Satiri Nomades (AMG Records), featuring the track “I Polis”, which garnered Mike his first nomination for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2006 Greek VMAs.

Showcase:
Meduse Lounge / Wednesday, March 13 / 8:10PM

Imam Baildi combines Bouzouki, electro swing, Greek roots, hip hop and mambo, coupled up with big band orchestration and Balkan brass, all resulting in perfectly prepared, massive-sounding music and incomparably explosive performances. Remixing songs by legendary composers and singers from Greece, such as S. Vembo, M. Linda, V. Tsitsanis and M. Hiotis and combining them with new sounds and production and remix techniques to embed them into a contemporary musical context, the band creates a one-of-a-kind, 100% danceable sound that has sold out shows all over the world.

Showcases:
* Knuckle Rumbler Party -Valhalla /Thursday March14/ 5:15 pm.
*IDS Austin Convention Center / Friday, March 15 / 2:00PM.
* Copa / Saturday / March 16 /1:00AM

Making the perfect trifecta along with Stereo Mike and Imam Baildi is Plastic Flowers, a lo-fi pop duo that features heavy use of synthesizers and atmospheric sound scapes along with the projection of dreamy visuals to generate an all-encompassing sensory experience for concert attendees.

Showcase:
The Velveeta Room / Friday, March 15 / 11:00PM

Greek Reporter is the official Media Sponsor of “Sounds of Greece” at SxSW. Take a look at our page dedicated to the Greek event here.

Stamos and Ryan Murphy at “The New Normal” PaleyFest panel

John Stamos, who has had a recurring role as dashing realtor Bryce on the NBC comedy “The New Normal,” hosted an event for the show at a PaleyFest panel last night in Beverly Hills.

Stamos moderated questions from attendees for the cast and crew, which included Justin Bartha, Georgia King, Bebe Wood, Jayson Blair, Andrew Rannells, and Nene Lakes. “New Normal” creators Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler fielded questions as well, and talked about plans for upcoming episodes, which will include more of Stamos. During the event, Murphy suggested that the Greek-American actor needs his own talk show.

PaleyFest is celebrating its 30th year bringing together the creative teams from some of the best in television programming with their fans.

Stamos also recently signed on to star in an NBC pilot for “I Am Victor,” a drama based on Norwegian author Jo Nesbo’s soon-to-be released book which centers on Victor Port, a high-power attorney with a unique view on relationships.

“Plus One,” directed by Dennis Iliadis

Greek-born director Dennis Iliadis will show his new film, “Plus One,” at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Tex.

Iliadis, whose first American film was a remake of “The Last House on the Left,” worked on his latest project with “The Master” DP Mihai Malaimare, Jr. The horror centers on three college friends who go to the biggest party of the year, each looking for something different: love, sex and a simple human connection. When a supernatural phenomenon disrupts the party, it lights a fuse on what will become the strangest night anyone has ever seen. As the friends struggle to find what they’re looking for, the party quickly descends into a chaos that challenges if they can stay friends or if they can even stay alive.

“Plus One” is scheduled to play at SXSW on Sunday, March 10 at 11:30pm in the Alamo Ritz 1&2, located at 320 E. 6th St. Additional screenings take place Monday, March 11, and Thursday, March 14 at other theaters. For more information, visit the SXSW schedule.

Indican Pictures announced today that it has acquired all international rights to Nika Agiashvili’s “A Green Story.” The film, which chronicles the life of Earth Friendly Products owner and CEO Van Vlahakis, will also be presented at a special event at Drexel University.

Indican Pictures announced today that it has acquired all international rights to Nika Agiashvili’s “A Green Story.”  The film was written and directed by Nika Agiashvili and stars Ed O’Ross, Shannon Elizabeth, Annabella Sciorra, George Finn, Malcolm McDowell, Alexis Georgoulis and Billy Zane .  Agiashvili produced alongside John Edward Lee, Dimitri Birbilis, Deanna Plascencia and Chadwick Struck. Paramyth Film’s David Agiashvili served as executive producer. Indican currently holds all theatrical, television, ancillary and VOD rights in North America and will announce a domestic release date shortly.

“A Green Story: chronicles the life of Van Vlahakis (played by Ed O’Ross), a Greek immigrant who arrived in America with only $22 in his pocket and eventually founded the multi-million dollar Green company, Earth Friendly Products.

Watch interviews with “A Green Story” cast, crew, and real-life characters:

“Indican has done such a great job with their domestic strategy on the film, we are definitely looking forward to working with Indican President Shaun Hill and her team on the international release,” said director Nika Agiashvili.

“This all-star cast headlines an inspirational look at the American Dream. The message of the film is perfectly timed as the world focuses on the green movement, fighting corporate greed and personal integrity, which Van Vlahakis exemplifies,” said Indican’s Hill.

The film debuted this past May at the 2012 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival and its North American theatrical release date will be announced shortly.

Click to view full poster

The film will be presented at a special screening at Drexel University on April 16, 2013. The event is held in commemoration of late Drexel President Dr. Constantine Papadakis. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Van Vlahakis and Earth Friendly Products VP Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks.

Event details
When: April 16, 2013 at 6pm
Where: Drexel University main building, 3rd floor, 3141 Chestnut street
Contact: Jaqueline Rios by email jsr62[at]drexel.edu