Page 65 - GREC14N_CHQ_01

CH
CHQQ

Yannis Smaragdis
“Kazantzakis is the

soul of Crete”

The multi-awarded Greek director speaks to Grec14n
Magazine about his latest film, the simplicity of life
and the majesty of Crete. Ο πολυβραβευμένος Έλληνας
σκηνοθέτης μιλάει στο Grec14an για την τελευταία του
ταινία, την απλότητα της ζωής και το μεγαλείο της Κρήτης.

by Elena Mathiopoulou

From the first moment that we and work of the renowned phi-
met, our conversation with Yan- losopher Nikos Kazantzakis.
nis Smaragdis was taken to a Why him? And what do all
higher level –deeper, more intel- these personalities have in
ligent and spiritual, accredit to common?
this great Greek director. “When These are sheer pillars of the
[renowned Greek actor] Stathis Greek soul; pure light –and yet
Psaltis came to me, I told him: of Greek color–, personalities
‘Your acting skills are well-known that showed deep and true love
already. What I want from you for Greece, the cradle of its peo-
is to dig out your soul.’ His an- ple and of an entire culture. Fur-
swer was: ‘That’s what I’m here thermore, their work enrich-
for anyway.’ He knew he would es the civilization that gave birth
die soon. Actually, he was gone to them in the direst of circum-
before watching the film, he was stances. My wish was to com-
only shown a few shots. Some- municate with what these per-
time later, a man who was well sons represent: our higher self. I
aware of psychic powers, came also believe that it’s not really the
and told me: ‘the ethereal body of director who chooses the lead-
Psaltis must have left some eight ing actor; there’s something that
months earlier.’ Only the ‘intel- pushes you to do so, and when
ligent’ part of his existence had you do it with love, everything
been there, so as to leave his trace works out the way it should.
in the film, just as he did on stage
when he played Shakespeare. What was Nikos Kazantzakis’
This happened –if all this is true– greatest controversy?
because he was a philanthropist. Being a proud Greek in times of
The universe, therefore, gave him anthellenism.
the chance to remain in paral-
lel so as to leave his mark the way What does faith mean to you?
he wanted, and then leave this It’s a subject that is illustrated
world.” in your film as well.
Kazantzakis was fully aware of
After the “global Greeks”, Ka- the Hyperuranion. Plato, Pythag-
vafy of Letters, El Greco of Arts oras, Jesus Christ, he felt them
and Varvakis of Benefaction, all deep inside. As we can see in
you chose to illustrate the life his books “Christ Crucified” and

65