Marcus Markou Explained

Marcus Markou is a British film maker, playwright[1] [2] and internet entrepreneur.[3]

Markou's debut feature film Papadopoulos & Sons, starring Stephen Dillane, was completed in 2012.[4] [5] The film was self-distributed by Markou in UK cinemas in April 2013, achieving the second highest screen average of any film in that weekend.[6] [7] This success placed the film among the top five self-distributed UK films in the past 15 years.[8] The film went on to be bought by the BBC, ARTE and Netflix.

Markou's approach to distribution included cold calling Greek Orthodox priests asking them to announce the film in their Sunday services.[9] [10]

Markou speaks extensively about self distribution at film industry events and film festivals and is the subject of self distribution case studies.[11] [12]

His play Ordinary Dreams; Or How to Survive a Meltdown with Flair was staged in May 2009 at the Trafalgar Studios with actors James Lance and Adrian Bower. Age-Sex-Location, his play about chat rooms and virtual worlds, was staged at the Riverside Studios in 2004 with actor Ed Stoppard.[13] [14]

In 2014, Markou was nominated by the London Critics Circle Awards for Breakthrough British Filmmaker.[15]

On 11 April 2018, it was announced that Marcus Markou was embarking in a new crowdfunding film and TV venture, along with US producer Cassian Elwes. Their company, dubbed Movie Collective, aims at financing film projects through an innovative crowdfunding approach that allows any investor to share the risk and the rewards, should a film be profitable.[16]

In 2023, Markou self-distributed[17] [18] a micro-budget[19] feature film about a couple breaking up[20] called The Wife and Her House Husband together with a short film, Two Strangers Who Meet Five Times – as a double bill.[21] The Guardian described The Wife and Her House Husband as a "worthwhile movie that genuinely gets under the skin of a long marriage" but added that the drama could feel "overworked" at times.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The British Theatre Guide. Marcus Markou - Interview. 11 April 2018.
  2. Web site: Varikos . Joanna . April 30, 2012 . Director Marcus Markou Talks About Anticipated New Film 'Papadopoulos & Sons' . Greek Reporter.
  3. News: The Telegraph . A nation of publicans. 11 April 2018. 19 July 2004.
  4. News: The Wimbledon Guardian. Cameras roll for film stars . 11 April 2018 . 12 August 2011.
  5. News: Birmingham Mail. Graham Young talks to Brummie director of chip shop film Papadopoulos & Sons. 11 April 2018 . 5 April 2013.
  6. News: Birmingham Mail. Brum fish and chips movie Papadopoulos & Sons set for wider release after beating Hollywood blockbuster in London. 11 April 2018.
  7. Web site: Young . Graham . 3 April 2023 . Chip shop film-maker charges £1 for new movie screenings at Mockingbird Cinema . Birmingham Mail.
  8. News: Sight and Sound Magazine. The Numbers - Papadopoulous & Sons. 11 April 2018.
  9. News: Den Of Geek. Kevin Smith, self-distribution, and the future of cinema. 11 April 2018. 9 August 2017.
  10. Web site: Markou . Marcus . 29 May 2015 . How I self-distributed my feature film . The Guardian.
  11. News: The Guardian. How I self-distributed my feature film. 11 April 2018. 29 May 2015.
  12. News: The Huffington Post. How to Self-Distribute Your First Film. 11 April 2018. 30 March 2015.
  13. News: The Stage. Age Sex Location - Review. 11 April 2018 . 11 March 2004.
  14. Web site: Lathan . Peter . 2004 . Age-Sex-Location . British Theatre Guide.
  15. News: Hollywood Reporter. '12 Years a Slave' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations. 11 April 2018. 17 December 2013.
  16. News: Screen International. Cassian Elwes launching crowdfunding production venture. 11 April 2018. 11 April 2018.
  17. Web site: 28 February 2023 . Marcus Markou's Innovative New Distribution Scheme For THE WIFE AND HER HOUSE HUSBAND . Fan Carpet.
  18. Web site: Bramesco . Charles . 31 January 2023 . Want to see a new movie for a pound? . Little White Lies.
  19. Web site: Czyzowska . Elise . 2 March 2023 . Marcus Markou brings feature to UK cinemas . Met Film School.
  20. Web site: Maria . Duarte . 9 March 2023 . Film round-up: March 9, 2023 . The Morning Star.
  21. Web site: Askew . Robin . 4 April 2023 . CINEMA FOR A POUND COMES TO BRISTOL . Bristol 24/7.
  22. Web site: Clarke . Cath . 6 March 2023 . The Wife and Her House Husband review – divorce drama gets under the skin of marriage . The Guardian.

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