17/07/2006

The life of master painter and sculptor El Greco will be brought to the screen by Greek director Yannis Smaragdis in what could be one of Europe’s most ambitious European period drama co-productions, appropriately titled El Greco.

The Greek-Spanish-Italian-UK crew is expected to start filming this October on location in Greece, Italy and Spain, countries where the famous 16th and 17th century artist lived.

Smaragdis, known for successful TV projects and the 1996 biopic Cavafy, has been working on the idea of El Greco for the last seven years. "This is a story of a famous artist who refused to compromise… [It is] a story of light in times of darkness, which transcended it and reached the realm of the divine," he said when he first announced the project earlier this spring.

El Greco was born Domenicos Theotokopoulos on the Greek island of Crete. In his late youth he left Greece and travelled across the western Mediterranean before settling in Toledo, Spain, where he produced most of his now famous works and had to face the Spanish inquisition.

The main role is to be played by virtually unknown UK actor Nick Ashdon with Lakis Lazopoulos, a very popular Greek comedian, to be cast in the film as the Cretan shepherd that was Theotokopoulos' companion in his adventures.

Smaragdis co-wrote the script with British writer Jackie Pavlenko, based on the book God’s Painter by Dimitris Siatopoulos, while Academy award winner Vangelis will be composing the music for the film.

Smaragdis’ own Alexandros Film company, along with Spanish firm La Productora and Raimón Masllorens, are the main producers of the film, which is being supported by the Greek Film Centre, Greek TV and sponsored by Cretan local authorities. Although not officially disclosed, the film’s budget is believed to be approximately €6m.