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Al Pacino in the role of Onassis, directed by Fernando Meirelles

17 April 2013 / 14:04:50  GRReporter
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Greek millionaire Aristotle Onassis’ life will once again become the story of a film. The new Hollywood blockbuster will star Al Pacino as the Greek, who started from scratch and reached the top.

The actor, aged 72, has been preferred for his undeniable artistic qualities but also for his facial resemblance to Aristotle Onassis.

The title of the highly anticipated new film will be "Nemesis" (after the name of the goddess of vengeance – author’s note). Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, winner of various film awards for his films "City of God" and "The Constant Gardener," will direct it. According to him, the film would be "something like "The Godfather" but the famous billionaire will be in the centre of the story".

The film’s screenplay will be the work of Braulio Mantovani, who will adaptto the film Peter Evans's book "Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle That Brought down the Kennedys".

The book presents the early years of Onassis in Argentina, the competition with the other major ship owner Stavros Niarchos, his love affair with Maria Callas and Jackie Kennedy and his strained relationship with Bob Kennedy - the man who imposed the secret control over the companies of the Greek tycoon and banned his trading activities in the U.S.

According to Evan's book, which was written in 1968, the brawl between the two men reached its climax when Onassis "renamed" Jacqueline Kennedy, ''Jackie O''.

The aim of Fernando Meirelles is to present unknown moments from the life of Onassis, focusing on his relationships with the people around him and the price he paid for his sentimental relationships.

In his book, investigative journalist Peter Evans claims that Aristotle Onassis conspired against Bob Kennedy and follows Onassis’ tracks - his links and how he financed the murder, and describes the secret that has been kept for three decades.

We will see Irish actor Michael Fassbender, aged 36, as Bob Kennedy. The crew is still seeking the ideal candidate for the role of Jacqueline Kennedy. It is expected that the shooting of the film will begin in September.

It is expected that the film will be the film event of the year. It follows the successful theatrical adaptation of the controversial book "Novello" in London theatre two years ago.

Onassis’ life has been recreated several times on theatre and TV screens. The TV drama "The richest man in the world" directed by Uoris Hussein was released in 1988. Its screenplay was also adapted from Evans’ book. Raul Julia played the role of Onassis and Anthony Quinn played the father of his long-standing friend Socrates Onassis.

His name has appeared again in the Greek and international media due to the news that his granddaughter Athina Onassis has sold the family island of Skorpios. On 20 October 1968, he married the widow of one of the most iconic American presidents, namely John F. Kennedy, precisely there, in the small church, where his grave and those of his children Christina and Alexandros are today.

Heavy rain poured on the island throughout the wedding day. "That's lucky," said the groom’s sister - Artemis Garofalidi before representatives of the media. The future of the dynasty, however, clearly refuted her prophecy. Contrary to the popular saying in many countries, a marriage on a rainy day is not necessarily happy, at least not for everyone.

Tags: CinemaFernando MeirellesAristotle OnassisPeter EvansNemesis
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