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I will be honest: when I first heard that Mastoras was gonna portray Kazantzidis, I was dissapointed. I mean, the universally aclaimmed best Greek singer of all time is gonna be portrayed by a pop singer? Luckily, I was wrong. Mastoras has a unique way of immitating Kazantzidis' voice without sounding like a parody. His acting, although nothing amazing, was solid. The other actors played their part as well. If you take out the few "flatlines" that this flick has, it could have easily been a 9/10. Also, if you are not a familiar with Greek music of the 50-70s you won"t understand the references or the name drops.

To sum up, a solid movie and an amazing tribute to best Greek singer of the 20th century (if not of all centuries)

Yparho tells the story of legendary Greek singer Stelios Kazantzidis.

The movie doesn't approach him as just an idol. Instead, it manages to provide some valuable insights into his character, showing the tough childhood that included losing his father and led to the dominant role of his mother. Then came his meteoric rise from an unknown member of the working class to an absolute icon. But it's interesting he still couldn't quite enjoy his success. He felt uncomfortable performing in luxurious night clubs for the glamorous upper class, he'd rather relate with the poor, hapless and underprivileged. Furthermore, he couldn't come to terms with the idea that record labels were making a fortune by taking advantage of the artists and he went to great lengths to stand up for his and his colleagues' rights. Add to all that the struggles in his personal life and one gets a good idea of his complex state of mind.

It could be argued that it avoids some of the edgy stuff around his life and doesn't go as deep as it could in order to maintain its appeal to the masses, but at the same time there is nothing "cheap" about it and it keeps a nice balance. As a result, the movie is highly entertaining, draws the viewer in and flows smoothly through its entire running time.

Keeping the same attitude, the movie remains straightforward despite the narrative starting with the main character being a middle aged man and talking about his past in an interview.

Great casting choices. Christos Mastoras, Klelia Renesi and Asimenia Voulioti are portraying the key characters and they all are delivering powerful performances.

Yparho also does a great job at taking you back to the time period where the narrated events take place and makes it feel authentic.

The music is excellent by itself, but is also used wisely in terms of fitting the narrative and achieving the desired emotional effect.

On a final note, it has to be said that Kazantzidis is an essential part of Greece's history and popular culture. Many people grew up with these songs, so that alone makes for a very moving watching experience and it's easy for the audience to ignore any imperfections or sidestep any complaints, especially if you watch it on the big screen and share the experience with many others.

'Stelios' is a biographical film about Stelios Kazantzidis, one of the most popular Greek singers of the second half of the 20th century. The original title of the film is 'Yparho', which in Greek means 'I exist', one of Kazantzidis' most famous songs, a kind of milestone at a crossroads in the musician's life and career. The film's director is Yorgos Tsemberopoulos a veteran Greek filmmaker who does not seem to be bothered by time, this being only his seventh feature film in 50 years. 'Stelios' is a solid biographical film, which tells in detail and with accents on the episodes that seemed important to the screenwriter Katerina Bei the complex story of the artist and man who was Kazantzidis, trying to explain the pauses and his almost total withdrawal from music, after having won the love and appreciation of huge audiences.

The singer came from a family of refugees from Asia Minor after the population exchanges that followed the conflicts between Greece and Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century. Orphaned of his father (a communist militant killed in the civil war), he is forced to start working in a factory where he has the chance for the boss to notice his musical talent, put a guitar in his hand and encourage him on the path of a career as a musician. He starts as an instrumentalist and soloist in taverns and in a short time his fame grows thanks to the talent and emotion he puts into music and the fact that he expresses from the heart the pains and passions of simple people. His contacts with managers and record labels will often put him in conflict with their commercial interests, while his personal life is dominated by several women - first his mother, followed by Katy Gray - a more mature woman and his first love -, and then the singer Marinella - his first wife and musical partner for a good part of his career. A violent incident in a night tavern will cause him to give up singing in the places where authentic music often comes from, and conflicts with the owners of the record labels and the breakup of his relationship with Marinella will lead to his retirement at the peak of his career. The journalist who takes the (authentic) interview that constitutes the framework of the script finds him living alone, as a simple fisherman, at an age when he could have been in full glory (but still with his Mercedes parked next to the fisherman's hut). The film tries and largely succeeds in elucidating the mystery of his retirement. He would only return for recordings and special events on stage, and that only after another decade.

Yorgos Tsemberopoulos made some risky casting choices. For the role of Stelos, he chose Christos Mastoras, a singer who manages to excellently portray the character's feelings, his artistic dilemmas, but also his personal conflicts. Mastoras sings with pathos, just as Kazantzidis did, but I recommend staying until the end credits and listening to the song that gives the Greek title of the film, in the original interpretation, for an impression of the model's formidable voice. Klelia Renesi and Asimenia Voulioti excellently interpret the roles of the two women who loved him and whom Stelios loved. All the actors in supporting roles are excellently chosen, sometimes they are non-professional, and are even more authentic so that viewers have the feeling that they are in Stelios' boat, in the recording studio or in the taverns where the hero sang. Such a film also lives through or especially through music. I read that in Greece, in many cinema theaters, the audiences join those on the screen by singing along to the well-known songs. I'm not surprised. I recommend watching 'Stelios', even if you are not a connoisseur or lover of Greek music. I warn you that you risk becoming fans of the genre by the end of the film.

Reviewed by Filmmining 101:

Dealing with Greece's most famous folk singer, "Stelios", is a highly fictionalized tale of its central subject's life story, one filled with dubious creative decisions, shades of the melodramatic flair and occasionally one dimensional characterizations. Nevertheless, director Yorgos Tsemberopoulos ("Backdoor" (2000)) has managed to assemble together a concrete Greek production, worthy of international release due to its (finally) strong production values, craftmanship and exquisite cinematogropahy (courtesy of Giannis Drakoularakos) that gives the shots the necessary Mediterranean authenticity. Bypassing the historical and personal inaccuracies of Katazantzidis's life, one will find plenty to admire in this tale of artistic passion, failed romances and creative thinking in a time period where music was defining people's livelihoods.

Greece, like so many countries which were swept away by the devastation of World War II and the Nazi occupation, saw a rise in folk-pop songs from low socioeconomic status individuals. Kazantzindis himself already a refugee from the Greek-Turkish war and a victim of right wing brutality in the mid 40s infused his heart and soul into his art, appealing to the masses by not performing in sold out venues but in taverns (yes, really). The film makes use of this traditional Greek culture endeavor, emphasizing the importance of delivering in a live audience Laika (aka songs of the people) pieces. None was best than Kazantzidis himself due to his thunderous vocals and his unique skill of combining feelings of sorrow and joy.

Despite Stelios' story being a remarkable Odyssey yet the script treats several key events unable to explore their impact to the his psyche. A clunky prologue bypasses significant life changing developments hastily; Tsemberopoulos does not clearly articulate the timeline between them and using the same protagonist for the age period of 18 to 50+ muddles the things further. As such, we are left desiring details required to understand what make this cinematic Stelios tick. Played stoically by an excellent Xristos Mastoras, we only experience superficial descriptions of potential motivations but these are not enough to connect with Greece's number one singer of the people, his life approach and philosophy remaining unclear such as continue living among ordinary people.

At moments, it feels like Tsemberopoulos and screenwriter Katerina Bei are conceiving a fan-fiction tribute for Kazantzidis' listeners and not for others who could discover the beauty of his singing through an approachable and meticulously put production of an unknown to the rest of the world, Greek Icon. The movie tries to cram too many real and most unnecessarily fictional aspects in an already fulfilling story (e.g., his battle against record companies, his third marriage is never mentioned but his wife Vasso pops out of nowhere) in desperate need of a bit more of panache and trimming. This notion extends in the supporting roles too, particularly the women who stood by Kazantzidis' side. While the actresses are all great and believable, their purposes is to worship Stelios and whatever ambiguous goal he has in life as opposed to being fully fledged characters. The device of using a journalist to talk a now recluse Stelios and get his flashback narration is an interesting one but his actions never challenge himself - he is there simply to record these events, extend graciously the running length and for the director to get some gorgeous opening shots.

Be that as it may, Mastoras excels by playing the guitar and performing wholeheartedly the singer's vast catalogue (reminding Val Kilmer's mesmerizing performance as Jim Morrison in "The Doors" (1991)) which should rightfully (and hopefully) attract some accolade attention. The sound design is well done too; those who grew up with Stelios' music might feel an overwhelming emotion of nostalgia due to the accurate and authentic representation of an era that barely lingers in modern memory across the companionship of 25+ of his hits. Employing real sets, spot on costume design this biography is a time capsule of a period and Tsemberopoulos has an obvious and vivid passion for this national folk hero and it shows: from steadycam to pull out shots, he accentuates the beautiful environment which was Greece in the 60s, putting Stelios in front and center. It is a shame then this ambitious biopic does not conduct a deep psychological dive preferring to lean towards a safe compilation in the life and morality of one of the most famous Greek performers.

A very well directed with a very good script movie.

Mastoras was solid portraying the legend of Kazantzidis.

The movie also did an amazing job portray how the life and the entertainment was between the 1950s and the 1970s in Greece.

They also showed characters such as Marinella, Akis Panou and many more.

Amazing effort for Greek standards as i said before. They also showed. The matriarchy in the Greek families at that time when there was no father in the family.

Maybe the emotion because i loved Kazantzidis speaks right now and all the greek speaking viewers will love this just for the songs.

For those who don't know his story make a background check of Kazantzidis before seeing this.

Yparho, a film inspired by the life and music of the legendary Stelios Kazantzidis, is nothing short of a masterpiece. It seamlessly blends raw emotion, stunning performances, and timeless music, creating an experience that leaves audiences mesmerized. This biographical tribute captures the spirit of Kazantzidis, a man whose voice became the soul of Greek music.

The storytelling is impeccable, taking us through his struggles, triumphs, and the heartache that shaped his art. The film doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of his life, making it both a poignant and inspiring watch. The cinematography is breathtaking, transporting viewers to the Greece of Kazantzidis' era with its authentic settings and evocative visuals.

The soundtrack, featuring his iconic songs, is the heart of the movie. Every note resonates with emotion, reminding us why Kazantzidis remains a beloved figure in Greek culture. The lead actor delivers a flawless portrayal, embodying Kazantzidis' passion, pain, and resilience with remarkable depth.

Yparho is more than a movie; it's a celebration of a legend. Perfectly executed, it is a must-watch for music lovers and anyone who appreciates a story of human perseverance. This film stays with you, much like Kazantzidis unforgettable voice.

I'm Greek and I wasn't expecting from Mastoras playing so good this role especially when he was never an actor before and he didn't have an experience with acting since he is well known as a singer. He was very convincing like I was looking the actual life of Kazantzidis. Everyone played their role with an excellent performance and Mastoras voice was very similar to Kazantzidis voice. He needs all the respect he can gain from people because he is Worthing it. I'm hoping from Mastoras to see him in different projects too because I'm sure from his professionalism he will nail every role they give to him. What a talent and what a nice human being.

Cudos to the casting manager, every character selected is spot on. The movie itself doesn't do justice to the life of one of the most iconic singers in Greece. There are so many sides of him that we didnt get to see like the gambling addiction, the Matsas conflict, the Nikolopoulos trial and so many that divided society and influenced so many singers. In my humble opinion the movie is missing a lot of elements os trying to "round the corners" . Finally the last months of his life dealing with the tumour and how he wanted to make amends with the people he hurt and how some of them rejected him even in the last moment of his life is not shown.

The film is very enjoyable to watch and leaves you with a good memory that they respected a folk singer who left an era!. Beautiful, a film that creates nice feelings in you. Bravo to all the actors. Interesting film in terms of story and full of well-known favorite songs. Christos Mastoras was excellent in his performance and amazing in how close he had come to Kazantzidis' voice. It was a real surprise!! The female actors were excellent and very faithful in reviving their roles, both the singers and the mother. From the beautiful Greek works and directing, with respect for their characters and history. Bravo to all of you!

This film is a remarkable achievement for Greek cinema, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Christos Mastoras delivered an outstanding performance in his portrayal of Stelios Kazantzidis. Despite not being a professional actor, Mastoras demonstrated exceptional dedication to the role, capturing the essence of Kazantzidis with remarkable accuracy. His efforts to emulate the legendary singer's voice nuances and character traits were nothing short of impressive.

What truly enhances his performance is his personal connection to the role-being from a refugee family himself, Mastoras seemed to genuinely understand and feel the struggles and emotions of Kazantzidis' life, adding an authentic depth to the film.

While the film excels in its storytelling and performances, the only drawback for me was the camerawork. In certain scenes, the camera movement felt overly fast and disorienting, making it slightly difficult to follow the action and resulting in a dizzying effect.

Nevertheless, for the Greek cinema, this film stands out as an A-tier production. It is a commendable effort that deserves the attention and admiration of audiences across the country.

... sing! That seems to be the question (multiple times) indeed! No pun intended as always. As a Greek myself I am familiar with the music of Stelios (which seems to be the international title of Yparcho - I exist ... also one of his biggest hits ... well one of many). But I was not too familiar with him as a person.

So I can't attest how much of what is being shown here is actually the truth or close to it. But it is more than appealing ... he had his demons ... and he had his flaws. One being not able to decide what he loves more ... his music or his women ... or actually his mother! A big thing in Greece and south Europe in general as I understand ... the family connection. Some might call him mamas boy.

That would not be a nice thing to say - on the other hand, he sometimes did not seem to be the nicest person to be around. According to what we see here ... but every time you think "he's gone too far now" ... he pulls you back in with being a gentleman and an empath ... yes he contradicts himself at times ... but don't we all do that from time to time? I'd say yes is the right answer.

This may not be the weirdest number (review wise), but I thought I'd lay it on 11995 ... I'm pretty sure there is something in one of his songs I could find here .. to make a connection. But his songs in general .. even if you do not want to watch this .. I can recommend listening to his music .. so soulful. Full of sorrow, of emotion ... I can recommend at least that... and then if you like what you hear ... go ahead and watch the movie too ... you won't regret it ... in stark contrast to him very likely regretting some of his life choices ...

I'm sure that anyone knowledgeable about the Greek music scene would be constantly nodding with informed appreciation of the people and events depicted in this movie, but as an ignoramus I liked it fine anyway. I'm not sure that the release I saw included all the two hours and twelve minutes. There seemed to be gaps in the time line, even taking into account the framing device of a retrospective interview, But they caused no great confusion. Although the musical performances were abbreviated, they were plentiful and enjoyable. The character of Stelios is sketched in broad but believable strokes, and if I can trust the web, the script respects the truth. In one way the protagonist conforms to the usual showbiz biopic formula--- he's brilliant but dedicated to his work at the expense of his family life. But on the other hand, he is a quixotic campaigner for his vision of justice.

I felt I was watching a Greek version of "Napoleon". The directors tried to fit so many facts in a 2-hour long movie that they made every scene and character so flat.

Mastoras, who has a great voice, is trying to imitate the legendary Greek singer more than acting in general. I didn't feel deep emotion at all, just like every character and act in the movie.

I get that the legacy is his songs, but even music scenes were so pretentious and meaningless

Overall, and due to its advertising I was anticipating for this one, but didn't really worth it. Even the production itself has some flows. Definitely would call it a disappointment.

It's interesting to see so many positive reviews here - clearly, this film resonated with audiences. I was excited to see it too. As someone who grew up with Kazantzidis' songs echoing through my home - a kid of immigrant parents who cried and reflected over his songs - I wanted to love this film. But for me, "Stelios" (or "Yparho") ultimately misses the mark.

Yes, the cinematography is stunning. The film looks beautiful. And Mastoras captures Kazantzidis' voice with real grace - listening to the music on the big screen was special. So, if that's all you're looking for, then you'll probably walk away satisfied.

But if you were hoping to feel his impact the way he actually made people feel - you won't find it here. The film constantly talks about his influence, his relationships, his struggles... but rarely shows them in a meaningful or cinematic way. There's too much exposition and not nearly enough development. You don't feel his passion for music, his inner world, or the weight of his choices. The whole thing feels strangely hollow - like a Wikipedia entry with a great playlist.

The editing doesn't help either. It's jarring and disjointed - entire chunks feel cut out or brushed past (probably to save time but it hurt the pace, logic and character development of the movie, making certain moments unearned). His relationship with Kaiti is barely explored and weirdly shown, and his dynamic with Marinella had real "A Star Is Born" potential, but again, it's underdeveloped. The mob subplot? Poorly set up and barely earned. You can see the potential in these threads, but the storytelling isn't strong enough to pull them together.

By the 45-minute mark, I realized: this film was telling me a lot, but not making me feel much. That's a problem for a story about a man whose voice moved a nation.

The performances are uneven - often veering into melodrama - and while Mastoras does what he can (especially when he sings), it's not enough to carry the film's emotional weight. There's one scene near the end that finally lands - raw, emotional, effective - but it comes far too late.

In the end, "Stelios" feels more like a sanitized Lifetime version of a complex, towering figure. There's a brilliant, moving biopic to be made about Kazantzidis. Sadly, this wasn't it.