Greeks moved to tears by Capodistrias
NEW YORK. The film about the first Governor of Greece was presented at the packed Museum of the Moving Image. In cinemas in Greece from Christmas.
The world premiere of Yiannis Smaragdis’ film Capodistrias was successfully held on Saturday, November 29, in New York. The screening was hosted at the Museum of the Moving Image’s Redstone Theater in Astoria, with state officials, diplomats, and Greek-American community leaders in attendance.
The theatre was packed, reflecting the high level of interest from the Greek community in the U.S. The event was jointly organised by the Hellenic Film Society USA, the Ionian Cultural Federation of America, the Pancretan Association of America, the World Council of Cretans, and several other diaspora organisations.
Among those present at the premiere were, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Iphigenia Kanara, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Agi Balta, composer Minos Matsas, and actress Natalia Kapodistria, a descendant of the first Governor.
After the screening, the audience applauded warmly, with many viewers expressing deep emotion. Several described it as a ‘captivating’ film that sheds light on the life and sacrifice of Ioannis Capodistrias.
Director Yiannis Smaragdis, visibly moved, thanked those in attendance and spoke about the significance of holding the premiere in New York—‘at the centre of Hellenism worldwide,’ as he noted.
The representatives of the Greek-American organisations described the event as ‘historic’ for the Greek community in the United States, stating that the film is directly connected to the need to preserve historical memory.
The president of the World Council of Cretans, Nikos Kastrinakis, stated that the work ‘touches the soul of every Greek’ and that Smaragdis ‘honours Hellenism through his career and his work.’
After the New York premiere, the film will be presented in other cities across the United States and Europe. Capodistrias by Giannis Smaragdis is expected to be released in Greek cinemas on Christmas Day.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
