HYTeenBeat: Swing Away, A Review

Sorry for the long delay in blogging! Hope everyone is doing well. 

Today’s post is about the feature film Swing Away, directed by Michael A. Nickles (written/produced by Paul R. Lingas, Julia Wall, and George E. Stephanopoulos), which I was able to see a special screening of at the 10th Annual NYC Greek Film Festival at the NYIT Auditorium in October.

For those who don’t already know, the NYC GFF is a really fantastic event that comes to New York every Fall; you get to meet and speak with directors and producers from all over Greece and the US whose work is being featured. Recommending you see when the 2017 NYC GFF comes around so you can see why I love it.

Getting back to the film, Swing Away captures a few things that Greek’s are typically known for (including baking, futbol, the cafe NEO, and the classic meltdown). The theme is resilience, and the moral of the story is that the strength to rebuild and come out of a bad situation stronger is found in simple things like going home, talking with friends, taking on a new project, or just taking the time to look at something from a difference perspective. Take time to step back… relax… rethink… rebuild. It’s a simple process that we often forget because we’re too trapped in one moment or problem or too busy stressing about what other people think or say.  

There’s also a big emphasis on reaching out and helping others. In the movie, Zoe (not me, Shannon Elizabeth, who plays the golfer and hero of the story) is trying to hide out and recover from a big failing moment when she meets young Stella (Viktoria Miller), who is determined to be an amazing golfer regardless of how impossible it seems based on her location and financial circumstances. Zoe becomes a major mentor to Stella and helps save the town’s major resource — a golf course — from an American developer resembling he-who-must-not-be-named (no, not a Harry Potter reference). 

It’s a great movie that does have a few romantic and comic twists to it and I strongly recommend it to you. In the current movie-rating system I’d call it G (Giagia approved) or the standard PG. 

The one question I have about the movie is WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE URN? No spoilers, but perhaps there’s a sequel in the making? I might have to ask Mr. Stephanolpoulos next Saturday at the Greek Legacies conference at the Alfred Lerner Cinema.

ZAMSR 

Press Release: Mentoring & Dynamic Narratives

καλό Σάββατο (Happy Saturday)!

The #2017HYP Spring Conference, Greek Legacies: Dynamic Narratives in Film & Performance Arts, is officially a week away! Sound, screens, lights… the Alfred Lerner Cinema awaits. 

In preparation, we invite you to take a step back and consider what it is that we do here and what our “final product” is: Confidence.

From the times of Homer and Aesop to present day Matziaraki, Stephanopoulos, Markakis and Chrissochos, we are known for crafting stories that become epic and legend. Consider that at one point an ant can be a great hero, and in modern times a humble Coast Guard can save the lives of so many — our determination and generosity in WWII is as epic as our rebirth from crisis now. 

The Greek narrative is considered “dynamic” on a variety of levels — music, dance, film, — that will be discussed at the conference. Everyone experiences their highs and lows. The gift that our guest speakers and esteemed Honorees have made possible is to bring the experience, the process, and the success to life for you, the 21-Century audience.

Included is a panel about another aspect of the Greek Diaspora to discuss how we educate the community and foster an appreciation for traditional and contemporary themes in classrooms and popular journals.

Our final discussion, sponsored by our friends at Pardalis & Nohavicka, will focus on the pragmatic aspects of the entertainment industry, discussing the legal concerns and perspectives that new members of this profession should be aware of as they prepare launch a new project.  

We invite you to attend — to discuss the legacy that is cherished, retold, reinvented, and brought to light by our speakers and honorees in a way that helps secure the education and improvement of today’s youth, encouraging new adventure and, we hope, leaving you with the confidence and network you need to take the next step in the creative field of your choosing.

We look forward not only to seeing you next Saturday but to hearing about your story… and your ultimate success in the years to come. Be confident, and take the time to know what is in your heart. Be attentive, and seek out every opportunity to learn, to grow, to shine. We’re rooting for you!

We also invite you to attend the upcoming Columbia Film Festival, which launches on May 10th. Click here for details. 

Leaving you with the recommendation from our #HYTeenBeat author to watch the feature film Swing Away about a young person who builds herself up with help from a great mentor.

SWING AWAY HIT SONG “STRONGER” BY ATHENA ANDREADIS (CLICK!)