Smyrna Documentary

The film began its European run with great success, opening at the GARTENBAUKINO cinema Vienna on 20 June with a screening of SMYRNA organized in collaboration with PROTEAS, PROTEUS NY INC and ECHO100PLUS & DESMOS with the aim of providing financial assistance in the form of food and medicines to families in Greece who have been hurt by the crisis.

The documentary will premiere on the American continent on 10 Οctober at the Paris cinema, on the opening night of the New York City Greek Film Festival.

In the U.K. the film along with the photographic exhibition will open at the HELLENIC CENTRE in London on 26 January 2013.

What was cosmopolitan Smyrna like at the beginning of the 20th century?  How did the Greeks, the largest Christian community, live side by side with the Muslims, the Levantines, the Armenians and the Jews ?

What was so unique about this Mediterranean port, which even today, 90 years after the Destruction is still linked to a joie de vivre during the good times and dirges for the Destruction that came so suddenly in September 1922?

Through unknown photographic archives and film footage, collected and preserved in the United States and Europe by the non profit organization Proteas, director Maria Iliou, historical consultant Alexander Kitroeff and their collaborators unfold a fascinating story in a documentary film that premiered at the Benaki Museum in January 2012 and was a huge success.

Now, from 13 September 2012, audiences will have the chance to see the film in theaters in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Veroia, Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and many other Greek cities.

http://www.smyrnadocumentary.org/