Jules Dassin

Gave new meaning to the poetry of Seferis

Julie, as those who knew him also called him, took his final voyage to meet the polemarchs that drove him from Hollywood and so to another path and fate in life. He was blessed with many years like those of Mathusela, almost. After Byron, I consider him the one of the most outstanding philhellenes that has ever graced the planet. He lived in apartment in Athens that had the best panoramic view of it I have ever seen. Tonight I am listening to the musical soundtrack from his legendary movie 'Never on Sunday' as composed so definitively by Hadjidakis. Jules Dassin knew how to live and at ninety-six certainly gave us a lesson on how to take that final journey with such dignity. He gave us movies that inspired even the great Raj Kapoor, such as 'Riffifi' and 'Topkapi' with Peter Ustinov. Julie you came, you saw, you conquered and in the end it did not matter what happened in the fifties.You will be missed as you gave new meaning to the poetry of Seferis that says wherever I go Greece wounds me still. Have a safe journey Julie, and say hello to our common friend whose voice you found so distinctive. Adieu.

Anita, Canada - 02 April 2008