CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
For the nearly half a million Greek Australians who identify as Orthodox Christians, the release of George Miller’s new action-packed road thriller couldn’t have been better timed.
In 2024, yesterday marked the delicious Orthodox Easter celebrations, a date which often falls more than a month after the more-widely recognised western Easter Sunday which comes with a public holiday.
However, regardless of the bloated bellies and slight hangovers that Australian Greeks had to take with them to work today, it was still worth it, because the hellenic pride beams brighter than ever before today.
Traditionally, the day is celebrated with copious amounts of lamb, red-dyed eggs, and the music of Zorba. As well as some crash-course lessons in the history of Greek-Australians, who are allegedly responsible for every great invention to ever come out of this country.
And right across Australia yesterday, the number one claim being made was that one of the most successful movie franchises in Australian history is the direct result of Greek-Australian genius.
Because, ya know George Miller was born George Miliotis?
That’s what every Uncle and Papou made a point of mentioning in every single backyard at some point yesterday afternoon, as the Australian news cycle is saturated with images of Hollywood superstars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth attending an array of film premiere events around the country.
This exchange is usually followed by another uncle chiming in with some rather bold claims.
“Yep. His father is from Kythira”
“And I’ve heard (I have no evidence) that his mother is from (where our family are from)”
However, it’s not just the Greeks that are basking in the 79-year-old’s glory, as he releases the 5th film in the blockbuster Mad Max franchise.
George Miller was raised by Greek parents in the Australian melon capital of Chinchilla, and was educated at boarding school Ipswich.
This means he is also claimed by every single bushie in Western Queensland.
