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Seven years of
preparation, a scenario which has been re-written 26 times, a storyboard
of 1130 pages, the contribution of the Laser Laboratory of the Institute
of Technology and Research of Crete which has “re-created” the very
special painting technique of El Greco, shootings in three countries, a
casting of excellent actors and contributors. “El Greco”, a film by
Giannis Smaragdis is an international production with a budget of seven
millions of euros making it the most expensive Greek film of all times.
The director’s vision for an important, national movie about the life
and art of the ecumenical Cretan painter Dominikos Theotokopoulos, based
on D. Siatopoulo’s book “the painter of God”, a film accompanied of
music by the famous composer Vaggelis Papathanasiou, has entered the
final stage of production. For 3 weeks the whole city of Iraklion has
tuned itself to the rhythm of this sumptuous project, sending to every
receiver mystical vibrations of “national pride”. Every Cretan felt that
“our own director creates our own movie about our very own artist”, a
film which, nevertheless, belongs to the entire world…
“Venice of the East”, as Venetians used to call Iraklion back in the 16th
century, revived at the Koules fortress, the marine castle which had been
built to protect and control the city’s port and which has been
transformed to become the scenery of the film. Simple habitants of
Iraklion have been converted to rebels and Venetians, nobles and
villains, having in mind to contribute to this international production
which will promote Crete worldwide. Following the footsteps of Domeniko
Theotokopoulos, we witness the excellent work of Lala Huete, the costume
designer and we are struck with emotion as we become conscious that
Crete of the 16th century has been a privileged place where Byzantine
tradition and western renaissance have met and where one of the most
important painters of all time has created his first masterpieces.
Lights are set, the camera is in motion, last touches to the artist’s
make up, some instructions from the director and …action!
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