Her love story Alikis Vougiouklakis by Dimitris Papamichael is one of the most beloved of the public and until today more and more something will be written and heard about her. A stormy love that wrote history, surpassing in imagination and passion, even a script. Its two great protagonists Greek cinema They may have played in the most beloved erotic comedies, but their own love, which they experienced to the fullest, apart from the script and the spotlight, had nothing to envy.
On the contrary, we would say. The love affair between Aliki and Dimitris was a love story that the audience loved before she was even born, as well as the press of the time, which knew well that in front of it was a "golden" couple with plenty of "bread" to fill the pages of his most popular magazines at the time. Their relationship, after all, from the beginning had a love intrigue, since Papamichael when he found himself in love with Alice was not alone. It had to do with Despo Diamantidou. And maybe the two of them had not officially admitted it, it was a common secret that the zen premium of the cinema had fallen in love with the great lady of the theater, who, above all, was his inspiration, while helping him in his first professional steps. And so, according to the reports of the time, when Aliki and Dimitris "surrendered" to their unacknowledged love, Diamantidou learned the news of the betrayal from the press.
The known-unknown relationship with Despo Diamantidou
Another student of the National Theater, Dimitris Papamichael knows Despo Diamantidou. It was in 1955 and they met in the show of the National, Ekavi. That student and that already acclaimed protagonist. After all, the two of them were separated for 18 whole years.
Diamantidou was a cultured actress. He had a spirit, an education, while he spoke five languages. Qualifications that in those years you did not easily meet. The actress, however, was also a special character, while she had a strong personality that would hardly go unnoticed.
The young Dimitris seems to have been enchanted by her kind and dignified personality. And the love for Diamantidou's much older one did not take long to come. A tender relationship developed between them. She, after all, had divorced him as well actor Andrea Filippidis with whom they had a son. The actress helped Papamichael a lot in his first steps. She advised him, guided him, inspired him. She supported him in the beginning and was by his side in every occasion.
The reports speak of a great love, which may not have had the formality like others, but it had bases that were based not only on love, but also on admiration. Papamichael also admired this great lady of the theater, who was a great school for him. In fact, the two met on stage 13 times, with the young actress playing in several works that she had translated.
The cinematic coexistence of the three
As it is known, Dimitris Papamichael and Aliki Vougiouklaki were fellow students at the School and their relationship from the beginning was the worst possible. The two young children were opposite as characters and from the beginning it seemed that their artistic paths would also be opposite. But, the two of them met a few times in the cinema. And their chemistry on the big screen was such that you can be sure that they were born for each other.
And this chemistry had been seen by the public, as in their collaborations he discovered a beloved couple, whom he wanted to see again and again. And until Aliki and Dimitris discovered what they themselves did not see, there were other film collaborations. One of them was "Mandalena" in 1960. The film also starred Despo Diamantidou, who played Papamichael's mother! Another coexistence of the three follows, in 1961 in "Alice in the Navy", where Diamantidou played the mother of Vougiouklaki. In both films, Aliki's relationship with Papamichael was not the best with the reports then talking about frequent fights on set.
However, in the theatrical coexistence of the three in 1964 in the play "Colombo" things had changed. Aliki and Dimitris had put aside their "murders" and were timidly surrendering to the power of love.
Love with Alice
That year, the two of them also collaborated cinematically, for the needs of the film, "Modern Cinderella". And the love of the script did not take long to be transferred to life, since Aliki and Dimitris -only by chance- in the romantic alleys of Rome discovered love for each other. And they decided to leave him alone. It is said, in fact, that in the last scene of the film, where they give the kiss, while the director shouts "Stop, it was perfect", they continued to kiss, carried away by the passion they lived.
When they returned to Athens, they started the performances. During the rehearsal general, in the scene where he has to say to Aliki "I love you" and kiss her, again seduced by love he kisses her normally, going out of course out of the script. The scene causes embarrassment to Vougiouklaki, but also to the others.
Their love, after all, was secret. And that was the reason why his relationship with Diamantidou ended ingloriously. The acclaimed actress, it is said, learned about the relationship from the press. Dignified as he was, he decided to manage the betrayal with maturity and prudence, so as not to give rights to the press, which then partied with the love that had just been born.
Thus, she handled the whole situation flawlessly, while her generosity was such that she professionally continued to support Papamichael, with whom they collaborated again.
The scandal of the time and the slap in the face to a journalist
At the premiere of "Columbus" and shortly before they take the stage, Papamichael wears a ring to Alice and tells her that they are now engaged. She loses them, but in a paradoxical way (as was the case with the marriage proposal) she says "yes".
The news of the engagement did not take long to see the light of day. The press and the people party for joy, each for their own reasons. The couple decides to give a press conference, since at that time various inaccurate publications were circulating, such as that it was an advertising ploy.
During the interview, journalist Brachiolidis mentions a male name to Papamichael, which makes him furious. In fact, the actor angrily moves against him and slaps him. Scenes of tension follow, with the journalist suing Papamichael.
The scene in the coming days starred in the headlines. In fact, it was not long before it was revealed why the actor was furious when he heard the name. According to the reports, he was supposed to be the best man in Papamichael's secret marriage with Diamantidou.
Something, of course, that was never confirmed. In fact, Despo Diamantidou kept such a decent attitude, that it is said that when it became known that Dimitris would marry Aliki, he sent the couple a bouquet of flowers, which was accompanied by wishes. If nothing else, a move that proved the greatness of this lady, about which everyone spoke with admiration.