Just a few days before the premiere of his highly anticipated film “Kapodistrias” on December 25, director Yannis Smaragdis appeared on ERT’s “Studio 4” and made shocking allegations, speaking of threats against his life and the involvement of political figures in attempts to prevent him from completing the project.
Smaragdis described the film’s production process as a “miracle” and as a constant battle against internal resistance and financial blockades.
“Aggressive politics” and political indifference
The director revealed the extent of the difficulties, noting that filming began with promises but stopped after just one week due to a lack of funding.
He directly denounced state indifference and the “aggressive politics” he encountered.
“Adonis did not sign the funding.”
The then Governor of the Attica Region had decided to grant €1.2 million. The decision passed through the Regional Council but got “stuck” at the Ministry of Development for the required formal signature, during the term of Adonis Georgiadis.
“Mr. Georgiadis left without signing it. Then someone new came into his position and was indifferent,” the director stated.
Smaragdis commented on Georgiadis’ recent “turnaround,” as he recently declared that “he will go see the film” and urged everyone to watch it, adding:
“After committing the sin of not giving the money. The state did not help. Good Greek people provided the money.”
Death threats: “I blame the Greek sentiment”
Beyond the financial obstacles, Yannis Smaragdis made extremely serious allegations about behind-the-scenes actions aimed at obstructing the film’s production:
“There were threats to prevent me from making the film. It is the second time in my life that I blame the Greek sentiment and I received death threats. Those who prevented the film from being made—because it was prevented—are very specific.”
The director claimed that now that the film has been completed, “they were waiting to see where they could grab the thread in order to smear it.”
Despite the obstacles and his personal hardship following the loss of his Eleni, the film was ultimately completed, with filming taking place in Romania, Austria, and Switzerland, and it is expected to be screened in 140 theaters starting December 25.
