About Peter Filippidis' suffocating oppressive grip on Lena Drosaki and about behavior on his part that had gone beyond limits and moderation and which could have broken up her troupe, Katia Dandoulakis spoke today while testifying in the trial of the actor and director, who is sitting in the dock of the Mixed Jury Court, accused of repeated rape and two attempted rapes against women.
"I saw a person, crying, oppressed, who couldn't take it anymore," Ms. Dandoulaki said, referring to Lena Drossaki, who along with Petros Filippidis participated in the show "Crime on the Orient Express," which the witness was staging.
As the witness said in her testimony, her accused colleague exerted enormous pressure on Lena Drosaki, "had developed an obsession with her", while anyone who defended her or spoke with her was also "in trouble". Continuing, the well-known actress said in her testimony: "I felt that all of this would break up the company. I gave it time and when things started to get pressing, I called Peter for a private conversation. It was a monologue. I explained to him that what was happening and what I was experiencing was beyond the limit of my soul. I announced to him that this partnership would have to stop and that this is final. Peter listened to me. I mentioned to him that he has no one to blame but himself. I embraced him and said, "Peter, this is the absolute truth of my soul."
Ms. Dandoulakis' testimony began in court as follows:
President: What do you know about the allegations? (i.e. the disputed complaints against Filippidis of the three women).
Mrs. Dandoulaki: I do not know anything about the complaints. I only know that I had a collaboration with Petros in three performances. Boring collaboration in two but the third collaboration had a problem. That's it. Whatever you want to ask me about the third collaboration that was problematic, ask me.
President: It was in the show "Crime on the Orient Express", right?
Mrs. Dandoulaki: From the very first moment there was a nervousness and a strong psychological chase towards Mrs. Drosaki. To the point that it became oppressive for her and others. Lena herself seemed trapped and ready to leave. This behavior of Peter's I had never experienced before. I gave it time and when pressing situations began to arise, telling me she wanted to leave, I called Peter in for a private conversation. It was a monologue. I explained to him that what is happening and what I am living has gone beyond the limit of my soul. I explained to him that this partnership would have to end. I announced to him that it was a done deal. Peter listened to me and I told him that he has no one to blame but himself. I hugged him and said, "Peter, this is the absolute truth of my soul." I told him if I could use his assistant, who would be out of work, and he said, "Of course." And that was the end of the matter. I never mentioned it to anyone. On the TVs we were saying that Peter was too busy with other shoots so he had to leave. I didn't communicate what had happened, it wasn't right for anyone. This came out afterwards when the guys started talking and saying what happened to them. And that's when this attitude became known. I did what my soul felt, nothing else.
Chairman: Did you question the accused about this attitude?
Mr. Dandoulaki: It was an attitude that everyone saw. He was focused on this particular person. Lena felt embarrassed. What should I ask? It was clear not only to me, but to the whole company. I felt that at some point the company was going to fall apart. Peter does have a perfectionism, but sometimes he crosses the line. I cannot tolerate any authority beyond measure. He had a totalitarian character, many times he had outbursts but I had never seen this kind of behaviour before. He is explosive. We've had some great nights, but that doesn't mean anything. Managing power is a delicate business. There has to be moderation and balance and when that balance is exceeded we are talking about oppression.
President: Did you ask Mrs Drossaki about all this?
Mrs Dandoulaki: I did. She is a very kind creature. She said, "It's okay, I'll get over it." He said "I want to go". I said "You won't go, Petros has to go."
Chairman: If you want, tell us about the accused, his personality....
K. Dandoulaki: Petros is a very talented person but he very easily goes from one side to the other. And there is no here why it happens. It happens.
Chairman: May I ask you about this chase in Mrs. Drasaaki was it a love interest?
Mrs. Dandoulaki: Well of course, for me it was a love interest.
Chairman: How was the company oppressed by this behavior?
Mrs. Dandoulaki: He attacked anyone who was hanging out with Lena. There were still two boys and anyone who defended Lena or talked to her would get in trouble too.
Enorcos: A man, when he flirts, shouldn't he be sympathetic?
K. Dandoulaki: Depending on the man, the grip of flirting was very tight. I don't know if it was indecent, because there was no indecency in front of me. This squeezing that a girl, a girl who is in a difficult position, was not allowed to continue. What more can I tell you to make you understand that this was beyond the pale. He had made her his assistant...
Chairman: So every director chooses an assistant?
Mr. Dandoulaki: He had an assistant but he also offered Lena that position. He told her "you will be by my side". They were talking during the breaks and I saw her crying. She didn't like that kind of thing. She cried once, she cried twice, and then she said, "I want to go." Very natural result of that oppression. Here was a particular case that was very badly loaded. We all have outbursts, let alone a person so exuberant. But this was something else. We wanted him very much and I was distressed. I told him this whole story is a sin from God, but there is a limit.
Ms. Dandoulaki's testimony continues with questions from lawyers, while many actors are in the room, including Marianna Toumassatou, Penelope Anastassopoulou, Spyros Bibilas, Anna Maria Papacharalambous, Jenny Diagoupi.
Source: protothema.gr
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