Skai television sheds light on the events of 1821
It is a glorious though somewhat glossed-over chapter in local history: how the rise of the Greeks against a 400-year-old Turkish occupation led to the subsequent establishment of the modern Greek state as it stands today.
Now a large-scale production, premiering on Skai Television on Tuesday, January 25, throws fresh light on the events which led to the Greek uprising, brings the heroes of the War of Independence to life and offers a glimpse of daily life in the Ottoman Empire.
Produced by Skai, ?1821? is an eight-episode series billed as a docudrama — the documentary-style genre that presents dramatized re-enactments of actual events.
Presented by author Petros Tatsopoulos, the series was developed under the guidance of Thanos Veremis, professor of political history at the University of Athens, and Iakovos Michailidis, history professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Featuring original costumes and objects as well as 3D graphics and visual effects, the docudrama presents key events that took place both within the country, such as the naval Battle of Navarino and the Mesolongi siege, as well as beyond its borders, from London to Paris and from Munich to Istanbul.
While covering good visual ground, the series is destined to present a variety of historical views, through the participation of scholars who will deliver their own take on events, including Turkish history professors. Besides bringing the Greek War of Independence into a more general European context, the programs will also point to the fact that whatever took place during those four centuries prior to Greece?s independence was pivotal in the country?s subsequent development.
Directed by Yuri Averof, Nikos Dagiandas, Andreas Apostolidis and Lefteris Haritos, ?1821? follows in the footsteps of the BBC?s ?History of Britain? series, in the hope of providing entertaining and enlightening television and a platform for a kind of national debate regarding the country?s past and present.
The docudrama series ?1821? airs on Skai, Tuesdays at 11 p.m.
