Evgenios Spatharis

An approach to the phenomenon of Thanasis Vengos, the man and the artist, through film excerpts, testimonies of his collaborators and relatives and analyses of his symbolic role in the post-war modern Greek reality. Thanasis Vengos, for more than fifty years, was one of the most important actors in Greece. His films and lines are written in history, raising more than three generations of Greeks.

An exiled filmmaker finally returns to his home country where former mysteries and afflictions of his early life come back to haunt him once more.

The Erotokritos is a narrative poem composed by Vitsentzos Kornaros in early 17th century Crete. It consists of 10,012 fifteen-syllable rhymed verses, the last twelve of which refer to the poet himself. It is written in the Cretan dialect of the Greek language. Its central theme is the love story between Erotokritos and Aretousa. Around this theme, revolve other themes such as honour, friendship, bravery and courage. In this adaptation, colorful shadow puppets are deployed.

The leading figure of Shadow Theater in Greece, the renowned Karagiozis performer, shadow theater teacher, and painter, **Evgenios Spatharis**, was born 100 years ago, on **January 2, 1924**. Continuing the family tradition of shadow theater passed down from his father, the well-known Karagiozis performer **Sotiris Spatharis**, Evgenios Spatharis dedicated his entire life to this important form of folk art. He traveled around the world showcasing his work and was honored with various European awards for his artistic contributions. In **1995**, the **Municipality of Maroussi** founded the **Spatharis Shadow Theater Museum**, giving Karagiozis a permanent home. In **2007**, the **Ministry of Culture** honored the great artist and shadow theater teacher for his contribution to Greek folk art.

The legendary long-lost documentary by Lakis Papastathis about Dionysis Savvopoulos features music videos of songs drawn from the albums *To Perivoli tou Trellou* (The Fool’s Garden), *Ballos*, *Vromiko Psomi* (Dirty Bread), and *10 Chronia Kommatia* (10 Years in Pieces). It also includes an interview and audiovisual material by Papastathis, originally presented during Savvopoulos’ performances at Kyttaro. Additionally, Savvopoulos performs together with Domna Samiou and Sotiria Bellou in a rare musical collaboration.

A poor builder tries, with the help of his wife, to raise his three children. When he gets killed in an accident at the construction site, his oldest son undertakes the responsibility of providing for the family, facing all difficulties.