Filming of Yiannis Smaragdis΄ "Capodistrias" finally begins

After many adventures, postponements, difficulties due to Covid and obstacles that should not exist from the Greek side, the filming of the long-awaited "Capodistrias" film by the well-known director Yiannis Smaragdis has finally started.

Last week, the first part of the filming was completed at the Kaisariani Monastery and in Greek landscapes.

"Capodistrias" is the true story of the greatest Greek politician and the first Governor of Modern Greece after its liberation from the Ottomans. In the early 19th century, Ioannis Capodistrias distinguished himself as a European diplomat, contributing to the independence of Switzerland and Greece, as well as saving France from dismemberment following Napoleon's defeat.

Capodistrias' universal and hellenistic ideas brought him face to face with the Chancellor of Austria, Metternich, who would become the source of great conflict and suffering in his life.

True to his values, he faced persecution with stoicism both in Europe and later in Greece, defending the freedom of every human with fortitude, kindness and dignity, even sacrificing the great love of his life, Roxandra Stourtza. 

When Greece gained its freedom, Capodistrias was called upon to become the first Governor. Although he sensed that he would be assassinated, he accepted his fate and sacrificed himself by serving his country with loyalty and devotion. This selfless sacrifice led him to true freedom.

In conclusion, the life of Ioannis Capodistrias is a story of love, faith and struggle of a visionary democrat in conservative times, paying with his life for loving his country.

The "Capodistrias" film was a lifelong dream for Yannis Smaragdis, and now that filming has begun, he happily stated the following: "Greece was blessed with the birth of the Corfiot Ioannis Capodistrias with a mother from Cyprus. His whole life was a stratagem. A stratagem of God so that Greece could stand on its feet and that is why Capodistrias fulfilled the command and returned intact and immaculate.

That is why while he was alive, when he received the command to govern his suffering homeland, he carried out his mission with selflessness and devotion, serving with honour the highest value of the Greeks, which is the defense of Greece and hellenism, and he left us the responsibility not to lose the blessed seed he sowed. It is this great Greek role model that I deeply wish the film will highlight."

So far, 20 minutes of the project’s total 120 minutes have been filmed. The film has a budget of more than €7 million and the main filming is planned to be carried out in Athens, Nafplion, Corfu, Aegina and Poros. Filming will also take place in Austria, Switzerland and Romania.

The completion of the funding of the project has been undertaken by COB Advisors, which specialises in raising funds for such ambitious projects. Thus, they will soon hold a big event in Athens to seek new sponsors and investors for this project of great national importance.

The film is co-produced by ERT and NOVA, supported by EKOME, and sponsored by the KIKPE Foundation, the KARATZI Group S.A., the LEBIDAKI Group, the SAITI Group, etc. The distribution of the film in Greece and Cyprus is undertaken by AVE S.A.

After the completion of the project, it is already planned for it to premiere at the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) in New York in autumn 2024. The previous film of the director "Kazantzakis" was screened in the same hall, where the following letter was sent by the President of the New York Greek Festival Mr. Jimmy Demetro: "The screening of the film "Kazantzakis" at the Museum of the Moving Image was a success! You should be very proud. Believe me, it was one of the best screenings we have ever had."

In the film, the role of Ioannis Capodistrias is played by Antonis Myriagos, which is expected to be a major revelation.

Yiannis Smaragdis is the scriptwriter and director, Aris Stavrou is the director of photography, Minos Matsas is the composer, Michalis Sdougos is the costume designer and Stella Filippopoulou is the editor.

Apart from Antonis Myriagos in the role of Ioannis Capodistrias, the film will also feature the following Greek actors:

Kolokotronis: Maximos Moumouris

Nikodimos: Nikorestis Haniotakis

Kountouriotis: Pavlos Kontoyiannidis

Petrobey Mavromichalis: Michalis Iatropoulos

Prime Minister Spiliadis: Tasos Chalkias

Mavrokordatos: Nikos Kardonis

Georgios Mavromichalis: Giorgos Floratos

Seer Helenus: Tasos Palantzidis

Alexandros Ypsilantis: Yiannis Syrios

Zaimis: Nikos Nikolaou

Georgios Stavrou: Dimitris Mavros

Manto Mavrogenous: Mary Vidali

Shepherd: Panos Skouroliakos

Mason: Nick Ashdon

Charlotte de Sor: Efi Roditi

Intangible Form: honorary Natalia Capodistria etc.

The film will also feature distinguished foreign actors whose names will be announced soon.

The film will be dedicated to the ever-present Eleni Smaragdi, the unforgettable Vaggelis Papathanassiou, Nikos Mougiaris, Niki Stavrou and Natalia Capodistria.

Photo: Andreas Smaragdis