- Born
- Birth nameKonstantinos Ferris
- Costas was raised in Egypt, and had a Greek education in Ambeteios School of Cairo. He speaks five languages, Greek, French, English, Italian and Arabic, and writes and creates in three (Greek, English and French). Interested in poetry and literature since a very early age, he was involved in theatre, and appeared and directed Greek amateur troupes in Cairo. He appeared also in Egyptian films as an extra, as well in 5 Greek films that where shot in Cairo, to be acquainted to the cinema as he aspired to become a film director. In 1957, he traveled to Greece, and studied in the High School of Cinema (Ioannides Vamvakas). He became a professional Assistant director in 1958, working for Nkos Koundouros film "The River" (To Potami). Since then, he organized the Group (Omada) for creating the rising "New Greek Cinema, and became one of the intellectual leaders of the Group. In 1961, he directed his first short film, that was censored by the Minister of Presidency as "anti-touristic". One year later, he directed (credited only as "technical advisor for the direction" the film "Enas Delikanis". By this time, he became a friend and collaborator of french director Jean-Daniel Pollet, and this relation followed until the french director's death. In 1965 he directed his first feature film, and in 1967 he flew to Paris, escaping from the Greek Dictatorship. He returned to Greece in 1973, and since he followed his activities in cinema, theatre, writing, music, journalism etc. In 1986 he met the composer Thesia Panayiotou, and up to now, they are companions in life and creation.
- IMDb mini biography by: Costas Ferris
- SpousesThesia Panayiotou(1986 - present)Soula Zamani(1967 - 1974) (divorced, 1 child)Sofia Sfakianaki(1961 - 1964) (divorced)
- Since his arrival in Greece, he has been involved in the group of the so-called rembetologists, who where in fact old record collectors and researchers of the rembetiko ethnic songs and history. The "discovery" and promotion of the rembetiko ethnic music, is still one of his main interests.
- He was involved in a childish, as he says, resistance group during the dictatorship. He was arrested, and escaped to Paris with the help of his friends Jean-Daniel Pollet and Barbet Schroeder.
- In Egypt, he worked as a journalist for the left wing Greek newspaper "Paroikos". Later, in Greece, and by 1980, he was asked by Panayiotis Lambrias to work again as a journalist, in the right-wing newspaper Messimvrini.
- He published his poems at the age of 16, in Alexandria's weekly Greek newspaper "Imera", under the pseudonym Takis Psarros.
- With a group of friends, he formed a vocal group by the name The Four Aces, singing mostly doo-wap songs, in 1955. Later, in Greece, the Group was reunited, and followed a small career, by the name The Devils.
- Politics? As long as the politicians have no relation with art, culture and civilization, there is no hope.
- Cinema belongs to music. As you say concerto, sonata of suite, you can say that a film is a Symphonic Poem, with the movement of images in place of the soloist.
- I don't believe in talent. I think that the creation evolves together with the human consciousness. You become a better director become a better person.
- As I learned by the reception of my films, I am sure that films can really change the human consciousness.
- In my childhood, I wanted to become an Opera singer. Specifically, a basso profondo. I also studied the part of Mephistofele, in Arrigo Boito's opera. I believe that my love for the Italian Opera is obvious in my films.
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