My Rembetika Blues: a film about love, life and Greek music

Photo by Effy Alexakis

Rembetika music or the Greek blues is a music born of exile and the streets. Developing its roots from the mass migration of people in the early twentieth century, filmmaker Mary Zournazi traces the journey of her forebears from Smyrna in Turkey to Sydney Australia but discovers more than family history, she finds out how music connects people during times of struggle and crises. By weaving together different stories of music and migration, she documents experiences that are often left out of the chronicles of history.

After the screening, Mary will be joined in conversation by Lex Marinos.

Did you know Inner West Libraries hold books, magazines and DVD’s in Greek? You can browse the library’s large collection of Greek language resources here.

Mary Zournazi:

M. Zournazi is an Australian film maker, author and cultural philosopher. Her multi-awarding winning documentary Dogs of Democracy (2017) was screened worldwide. Her most recent documentary film, My Rembetika Blues is a film about life, love and Greek music. She is the author of several books including Hope - New Philosophies for Change, Inventing Peace with the German filmmaker Wim Wenders and most recently Justice and Love with Rowan Williams.

Lex Marinos:

Lex Marinos was born in Wagga Wagga, NSW (Wiradjuri country) into a family of Greek cafe owners. Lex attended University of NSW, receiving a BA with Honours in Drama, and also studied with renowned American acting teacher, Stella Adler. Since then he has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer, broadcaster and teacher.