Film buffs in the Larnaca area are in for a treat when the Sophia Loren Open Air Film Festival opens in October.
The festival is organised by the Larnaca Regional Tourism Body, with the support of the Cyprus Tourist Organisation, as part of its events calendar for 2009.
There will be a choice of three films - the 1958 romantic comedy Houseboat, the 1964 epic The Fall of the Roman Empire, and the 1976 disaster movie The Cassandra Crossing. The films all start at 7pm, entrance is free and there will also be free drinks and popcorn.
Larnaca Regional Tourism Body Senior Officer Costas Papacharalambous spoke to the Cyprus Weekly this week, saying: “It is part of our efforts as the Larnaca Regional Tourist Body to enrich the cultural events that are going on in Larnaca. This is something unusual and something new.”
When asked why iconic actress Sophia Loren was chosen, Papacharalambous explained, “We wanted something that has to do with the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and something that was typically Mediterranean and we thought that Sophia Loren makes that combination.
“Of course it would have been even better for us if we had something similar, a Greek actor like Sophia Loren, but there is not. We wanted to show the Mediterranean passion.”
When asked why they had chosen films from those eras, Papacharalambous said, “We wanted films of that period, not new, something a little classical.”
When asked if this opportunity to watch films under the stars would be repeated, Papacharalambous replied: “We thought that it was a good idea to try and … if it’s good and it’s successful then why not? We are giving a service to tourists and locals.”
Hopefully there will be packed houses and many more open air film festivals to come.
On the opening day of the festival, Monday, October 5, a cocktail party will take place at 6.30pm next to the Finikoudes Seafront Stage.
The film festival schedule is:
Finikoudes Seafront Stage: Monday, October 5 The Cassandra Crossing; Tuesday, October 6 Houseboat; Wednesday, October 7, The Fall of the Roman Empire.
Blue Flag Beach Oroklini-Dhekelia area: Thursday, October 8 The Cassandra Crossing; Friday, October 9, Houseboat.
Lefkara Town Hall Square: Saturday, October 10 The Cassandra Crossing; Sunday, October 11 Houseboat.
For more information, contact 99688025