Marcus Markou

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.[7][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]

References

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