John Psathas

Born in Aotearoa to Greek immigrants, John Psathas knew at age 12 that music would be his life. Since then, he has composed for drum, saxophone, orchestra, and for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Psathas was profiled in award-winning documentary View from Olympus. He hosted the Napier episode of Neighbourhood, and in arts show The Gravy, can be seen working with band Little Bushman and the Auckland Philharmonia. To date he has scored the soundtracks for three features: music-heavy Western Good for Nothing, period drama White Lies and ambitious music from war project No Man's Land, which he also co-produced. 

One of the principal glories of the film is the score by John Psathas, in which genuine sweep and poetry are combined with affectionate send-ups of Ennio Morricone. It would be a major achievement for an experienced film composer; as a first film score, it's . . . little short of astonishing. American classical music critic Jim Svejda