Christopher André Marks

Christopher André Marks
NationalityAmerican, Greek
EducationNew York University
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter, producer
Known forKing Otto (film), 30 for 30

Christopher André Marks (Greek: Κρίστοφερ Αντρέ Μαρκς) is a Greek American film director, film producer, and screenwriter, best known for the 2021 film King Otto.

Early life

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Marks grew up in California. His family was in the Latin music industry, however he was raised Greek, often returning to Athens throughout his childhood.[1] He began his career at The Weinstein Company and moved on to work with ESPN and HBO.[2] He attended New York University's Tisch of the Arts film program.[3] He speaks 4 languages, English, Greek, Italian and Spanish.[3]

Career

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In 2024, Variety reported that Marks launched a new production company, Studio Galazio, with the aim to bring high value Greek stories to mainstream international audiences.[4] In its initial slate, Marks and Galazio have partnered with 2 time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his new production venture, Improbable Media,[5] to produce an international heist comedy set in Greece.[6]

In 2022, Marks directed King Otto, on the Greece national team's victory at Euro 2004, opened to wide international critical acclaim from outlets such as the Los Angeles Times,[7] The Guardian,[8] The Australian,[9] Süddeutsche Zeitung,[10] The Times[11] and The Daily Telegraph.[11] It is marked as "fresh" on critic aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes.[12] David Stratton of the Australian said "Full marks must be awarded to director Christopher Andre Marks for telling this real-life feel-good story so well and so entertainingly - even the most unlikely subject, in the right hands, can make for compelling drama." It was released theatrically and on streaming platforms in over 75 countries via partners such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Sky UK,[13] Sky Deutschland[14] and Canal+.[15] As the film is about a German working with the Greece national team, Marks states that the film's central focal point is on what "unites us versus what divides us" as people.[16] Marks stated to Kathimerini that his next two projects will be shot in Greece and are currently in development.[17]

He previously directed and produced the film Tiger Hood for ESPN Films' Emmy Award Winning '30 for 30' series.[18] The film had its world premiere at the 2015 South by Southwest and was released in the United States and Canada on ESPN, ESPN2 and SportsCenter.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Christopher André Marks – Movies, Messages, and a Passion for Greece". thehellenicinitiative.org. 5 April 2022.
  2. ^ "U.S. Filmmaker Christopher Andre Marks on creating the 'King Otto' documentary". socceramerica.com.
  3. ^ a b "Christopher André Marks". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  4. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (2024-06-03). "Studio Galazio Banner Launches With Focus on Greek Stories, Sets Heist Comedy With Giannis Antetokounmpo's Improbable Media (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  5. ^ Sam, Doric. "NBA's Giannis Antetokounmpo to Produce Heist Comedy Movie". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  6. ^ "Giannis And Jay Williams Hope To Create Improbable Stories For More Athletes". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ "Review: Noomi Rapace on Netflix, a real-life Ted Lasso, and more movies to watch this weekend". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "King Otto review – Greece's Euros winner earns his place in football's history books". the Guardian. July 1, 2021.
  9. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/reviews-a-quiet-place-2-my-name-is-gulpilil-king-otto/news-story/acd514d0cb46b981d10ffa9b21dc39ad
  10. ^ Gertz, Holger (2021-11-09). "Rehhagel-Doku "King Otto" im Kino: Otto – der Film". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  11. ^ a b Media, Bionic. "KING OTTO - Abacus". Abacus Media Rights. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  12. ^ "King Otto". Rotten Tomatoes.
  13. ^ "Sky Documentaries - King Otto - TheTVDB.com". thetvdb.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  14. ^ "King Otto". Werstreamt.es (in German). Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  15. ^ "Piece of Magic Takes Rights to Soccer Documentary 'King Otto'". Variety. 18 February 2020.
  16. ^ ""Look at What Unites Us, Not at What Divides Us": Interview with Christopher André Marks, Director of KING OTTO". filminquiry.com. 5 April 2022.
  17. ^ Δημουλάς, Αθως. "Βασιλιάς Όττο: Το 2004 από την αρχή". www.kathimerini.gr (in Greek).
  18. ^ "Tiger Hood - ESPN Films: 30 for 30".
  19. ^ "Tiger Hood | SXSW 2015 Event Schedule". South by Southwest.