The Greek Americans (Documentary Mini-Series)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: B- Episodes: B
Though it is not the double set Acorn Media did for The
Italian Americans (1997) has issued a sister program called The Greek
Americans (1998-99) that talks about a group of immigrants that get far
less attention than most and deserve much better. The two main programs here and two half-hour extras shows a
people who have done incredible things in the U.S. and that makes this program
easily the equal of its Italian predecessor.
Again, we get a series of interviews with those of the
ethic title affiliation in entertainment, religion, food and other areas of
culture that captures the world of immigrants and then limited
assimilation. The first segment has the
title of the DVD, covering family life and the many Greek Americans who have
gone on to great success in all forms of business, arts and recreation. The second program is subtitled Passing
The Torch, which focuses on the women, education, and continued learning of
the culture to the next generations.
Roger Caras narrates and the many interviewees include Pete Sampras,
Olympia Dukakis, and Billy Zane.
After watching, I realized what little is really known or
discussed about the culture, feeling closed in a way that remind one much more
of Hasidic Jews than Italians. To the
producers’ credit, it does not feel like formula or a repeat of the Italian
shows. In a country where the school
systems are more worried about propaganda than showing other worlds, countries
and cultures, The Greek Americans makes for great viewing.
The 1.33 X 1 full frame image was shot on professional
NTSC analog tape and is in nice, clean, clear condition, though the usual
limits for the format in detail and some color limits still apply. There are also the occasional inserts of
stills and older film footage; the usual expected documentary mix. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is clear
enough, though no surrounds exist.
Extras include the two half-hour segments bonus footage for both
programs, but that is it, as there is only so much room on this single
disc. Let’s hope for more in this
series.
- Nicholas Sheffo
