New Movie Filmed in Kalamata Recreates Greek Revolutionary Era

The only Greek dramatic film shot within the context of the 200th anniversary of the revolution, “Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom” is a new movie about the Greek Revolution, showing the roles its protagonists played in the War of Independence.

The ambitious project, with arresting cinematography, is a collaboration of the University of the Peloponnese; Faris, the cultural organization of the Municipality of Kalamata; and View Master Films.

The film’s creators say that it is a “dramatized documentary” narrating aspects of the 1821 Greek Revolution, with a focus upon the events pertaining to the city of Kalamata.

The film, one of the fruits of the “Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom” project, follows the activity of Ioannis Filon, a fictitious senior member of the ‘Filiki Eteria’ (Society of Friends), in the pre-revolution Peloponnese and specifically in the regions of Messenia and Mani.

"Kalamata: Roads of Freedom" — A behind-the-scenes shot taken during the production of the film “Kalamata: Roads of Freedom,” shot in Kalamata in 2021. Credit: https://kalamatadromoieleftherias.gr/freedom-wind/

“Through the story of Filon, who travels around the area under the cloak of a merchant, and his activity as a ‘Filiki Eteria’ cadre,” the film’s producers state, viewers get a glimpse into the daily life of early 19th century society, as well as its dominant ideas and trends — and ultimately the Revolution itself.

They say that “The script is based on historical facts, and is to a great extent inspired by the activity of Christophoros Perraivos, a prominent ‘Filiki Eteria’ member who travelled to the Peloponnese before the revolution with the aim of reconciling the powerful clans of the Mani– and thus sowing the seeds for the emancipation of the Greek nation.

“Through the road of liberation, history and culture”

“In June 2018 we set upon a journey whose main purpose was to bring together and display the historical, cultural and social conditions which contributed to the liberation of Kalamata on March 23, 1821.

“Through the roads of liberation, history and culture, we will rediscover not only Kalamata, but also the picturesque mountainous and seaside villages of Messenia.”

In addition, they say, viewers will “get to know the pioneers of Greece’s struggle and become familiar with the unique local traditions whose origins are lost in the mists of time but nonetheless are still preserved today.”

With Kalamata as its starting point on March 23rd 1821, the torch of liberty was kindled, thereby inspiring a nation to rediscover its identity and revolt against its Ottoman Turkish occupiers.

Greek Revolution Project part of Greek Ministry of Finance and Development

The ‘’Kalamata: Roads of Freedom’’ project, including the related photographic and other exhibits throughout the city, is part of an initiative called “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020 (EPAnEk),” from the Greek ministries of Finance and Development.

The film was directed by Stelios Charalampopoulos and produced by Υiorgos Kyriakos and Kostas Lampropoulos.

The screenwriter was Antonis Tolakis and the director of photography was Dimitris Kordelas.

The beautifully-detailed period costumes costumes were designed by Maria Kontodima and the music for the film is by Platon Andritsakis.

Leading cctors for “Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom” include Timos Papadopoulos, Rinio Kyriazi, Υiannis Anastasakis, Lefteris Polychronis, Lefteris Tsatsis, and Iosif Polizoides.

The historians who provided insight into the era for the film are Vasilis Panagiotopoulos and Olga Katsiardi-Hering.

The creators of the new film say that the city of Kalamata completely reanimated the spirit of the early 19th century through food, music, dance and performing as part of the “Kalamata 1821” project.

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