Michael Cacoyannis

Michalis Kakogiannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης; ; 11 June 1922 – 25 July 2011), usually credited as Michael Cacoyannis or Michael Yannis, was a Greek Cypriot filmmaker, theatre director, and playwright. He is best known for writing, directing, producing, and editing Zorba the Greek (1964), an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel of the same name. He also directed the 1983 Broadway revival of the musical based on the film in addition to writing, directing, designing, and translating dozens of stage play and opera productions. Cacoyannis was nominated for five Academy Awards, more than any other Cypriot: three of the nominations were for Zorba the Greek (Best Picture, Best Director, and Be…