Yparho

'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.

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.

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 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.

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.