Makis Andrikopoulos was born in Patras in 1936 and came of age during the turbulence of the Second World War and the Greek Civil War. He migrated to Canada in 1962, following the 1961 elections. After arriving in Toronto, alongside his brother, he opened Greek cinemas such as “Titania” and “Apollon.” During the Junta years, Andrikopoulos refused to screen propaganda newsreels and actively participated in protests against the regime. He recalls the films his cinemas screened and the numerous Greek singers, musicians, composers, actors, and politicians he met over the years.
[00:00:40] His childhood during WW2
[00:04:04] Memories of the German Occupation
[00:09:30] Relations with Italian soldiers
[00:12:00] Influenced by left ideologies in his 20s
[00:16:10] Military service
[00:19:38] Parents, siblings and family[00:22:00] Stories from his military service
[00:25:00] School years and education
[00:29:05] Decision to migrate to Canada in 1962
[00:34:40] Journey from Athens to Toronto
[00:40:00] His first work as an electrical apprentice
[00:46:18] First impressions of Toronto
[00:48:39] Connections with other Greeks
[00:52:58] Cooperating with his brother to open a cinema
[01:02:00] Introducing concerts in "Titania"
[01:03:55] Opening a new cinema "Apollon"
[01:08:50] Concerts, theatrical performances and movies
[01:14:20] Changes on the Danforth; becoming a Greek district
.png)
.png)
