BIOGRAPHY/DRAMA
EL GRECO
An epic tale of an uncompromising artist and fighter for freedom, Domenicos Theotokopoulos, known to the world as «El Greco».
Set in the 16th century, El Greco’s search for freedom, and love, ranges from the courts of Crete and Venice to Toledo in Spain. Here he is confronted by his greatest adversary the Holy Inquisition.
Never backing down in his fight with the establishments of his day El Greco’s story is one of unusual heroism, betrayal, love, and the power of one man and his creative consciousness to stand out and overcome barbarity and ignorance.
An inspiration which lives on to this day.
PRODUCTION: ALEXANDROS FILM Co. Ltd
YEAR 2007
Format : 35mm, color, 113 min
CREDITS
| Director | Iannis Smaragdis |
| Producer | Helen Smaragdis |
| Music | Vangelis |
| Script | Jackie Pavlenko |
| Iannis Smaragdis | |
| Story | Dimitris Nollas |
| Iannis Smaragdis | |
| Photography | Aris Stavrou |
| Art director | Damianos Zarifis |
| Costumes | Lala Huete |
| Editing | Yiannis Tsitsopoulos |
| Sound | Marinos Athanassopoylos |
| Make–up | Argyro Kouroupou |
| Hair Stylist | Niki Psimouli |
| Cast | Nick Ashdon |
| Juan Diego Botto | |
| Lakis Lazopoulos | |
| Laia Marull | |
| Sotiris Moustakas | |
| Dimitra Matsouka |
Box office success in Greece 1.200.000 audiences.
AWARDS / FESTIVALS
FESTIVALS
- Official Participation at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. CBC channel of Canada officially classified EL GRECO among the five best films of the festival.
- Official Participation at the 2008 Sao Paolo International Film Festival.
- Official Participation at the 2008 European Film festival of the American Film Institute in Washington.
- Official Participation at the 2008 Cairo International Film Festival.
- Official Participation at the 2009 International Festival in Guadalajara Mexico.
- Official Participation at the 2009 International Festival of Pantalla Pinamar in Argentina
AWARDS
- State Award – Best Feature Film 2007
- State Award – Best Director
- State Award – Best Photography
- State Award – Βest Music for VANGELIS.
- State Award – Best Art Director
- State Award – Best Editor
- State Award – Best Sound
- State Award – Best Make-up
- Audience Award – Thessaloniki Film Festival
- Best feature film 2007 Award by the Greek Union of Film Television and Audiovisual Technicians
- First Prize for the actor Juan Diego Botto at the 2008 Cairo International Film Festival
- GOYA award for Costumer Lala Huete
- Wisdom Award
- “GIUSEPPE SCIACCA 2008” International Award in Rome – Italy
- The Euro – American Women’s Council’s Award in Santa Barbara in California
- Artemis International Award
- Honorary Award at the Maremetraggio Film Festival in Trieste – Italy
REVIEWS
- The film EL GRECO by Iannis Smaragdis is a film full of light, indicating art’s liberating force in the form of renowned painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos (1520 – 1614). It combines history with myth, adventure with benevolence and deep reflection, love with friendship… It is a film – an artistic achievement that appeals to a varied audience, working class and cultivated alike. A hymn to Greco’s spirit, the “light” that can be found in art and freedom; this film goes beyond the Greek borders. It has all the requirements for an international career.
Giorgos Vidalis, ELEFTHEROTYPIA, 19 October 2007
- EL GRECO is a multilayered film, starting with its aesthetic and technical superiority. Then its the story and the public’s acquaintance with acclaimed painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos. And of course, it is Iannis Smaragdis himself, who made it into the realm of distinguished directors. With his film EL GRECO, Smaragdis went a step further, leaving behind the miserable local productions, and can now compete with the worldwide cinema… Iannis Smaragdis’ EL GRECO is an opulent film! It lacks nothing! All the actors are stupendous. Aris Stavrou as director of photography has never been better. The photography is so alive. Damianos Zarifis designed and supervised the construction of the ever so elegant and practical sets. Not to mention Vangelis’ music… All collaborators have a unique sense of comprehending a world language. The film’s classical narration tells the story of Theotokopoulos’ epic life. From the island of Crete to Venice, his acquaintance with the great artists of that era and his escape to Spain, his second country! We can visualize the history surrounding the painter growing up and becoming the great Cretan and world renowned artist (16th century). We see Crete rebelling against Venetian rule, Italy’s wavering aristocracy in Venice, the powerful Holy Inquisition in Spain… The viewer comes out of the theatre informed and content… This is indeed a beautiful and productive moment for Greek cinematography!
Newspaper RIZOSPASTIS, 18 October 2007
GALLERY