Journey Through Smyrna: Hello Anatolia

Το Hello Anatolia είναι ένα διαρκές αποκαλυπτικό ταξίδι στον ιστορικό πλούτο της Σμύρνης και της Μικράς Ασίας, οικοδομώντας ταυτόχρονα μια γέφυρα μεταξύ ελληνικών και τουρκικών πολιτισμών πάνω σε μια διεθνή πλατφόρμα, και όλα αυτά με στόχο τον εμπλουτισμό της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς μέσα από την ταινία και τη μουσική. 

Βρείτε στο ακόλουθο κείμενο πληροφορίες για το project  και για τη δυνατότητα υποστήριξής του.

The Catastrophe of Smyrna destroyed much of the city; in great part its Greek Christian community and the traces of their centuries-old culture. Many of those who escaped the ravaging fire saw their last moments on the city’s waterfront known as the Smyrna Quay.  This site holds great significance for those that hold roots to the city unshaken over the past century.

In 2015, 93 years later, the light of that community, along with its language and heritage, will be reignited through the power of music, faith, and friendship with Greek and Turkish singers and musicians who will hold a first-ever live concert on the Smyrna Quay, celebrating the city’s culture.

In addition, Stamelos will be documenting the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit and journey to the city where the first ever Greek Orthodox liturgies in the remaining churches of Izmir will be celebrated.  One includes Stamelos’s own family’s church, Agios Haralambos in Çesme. These liturgies will act as a great symbol of re-igniting the city’s Greek Orthodox community and heritage in hopes of creating a new beginning of religious freedom and tolerance within the Aegean region.

Hello Anatolia is a continuous journey of unveiling the historical richness of Smyrna and Asia Minor, while building a bridge between Greek and Turkish cultures on an international platform, all with the aim to enrich the cultural heritage through film and music.  The following aims are:

- To document the historical neighborhoods of the city which bear the names of several songs in Rembetiko and Smyrneika.

- To document the historical Greek Orthodox liturgies which will be held in 2 of the city’s remaining Orthodox Churches of Smyrna (Agios Voukolos, Agios Haralambos) as well as the main church of Agia Fotini (originally a Dutch Chapel which has been given to the Greek community since 1981).

- To document the collaboration of amazing and talented Greek and Turkish musicians and singers.

- To document the entire concert performance and distribute it to international audiences

- To record the concert and distribute the music internationally online and on CD.

- To build ties between cultures and people with this project, which will act as the catalyst for many more events to come.

All of these events will be presented on film, soundtrack, and a printed book.

Our production is scheduled to begin in February and continue on to the end of April 2015. The production will involve 10 musicians from both Greece and Turkey, and will include shooting on location around the cities of Izmir and Athens with a production crew of about 6-8 members. We will be documenting all events taking place in Izmir between February and April 2015.  The overall budget, which includes all aspects of production, distribution for film festivals, advertisement, and travel is estimated at 150K.  The budget will cover the following:

This will include scouting, planning, and countless meetings with the Metropolitan Municipality of Izmir, event managers and production staff.  This will also cover rehearsals for the group as they will rehearse between Athens and Izmir.

This will include the budget for filming, music rehearsals and performances, as well as full documentation of church liturgies in Izmir. The production will be filmed on digital HD cameras and sound recordings will be used for music distribution.

Sound, color correction, translation, special effects/graphic work and title, which will be carried out between Izmir, Athens, and New York City.  A public relations team will be assigned to advertise the film as well as build and create screening and showcase opportunities.

The film will be delivered to several high profile  international film festivals across the globe.  A budget will be necessary for festival submission fees, postal services, travel and accommodation.

*Multiple screening opportunities will be added as production and post-production unfolds.

We understand that every single dollar that goes into this project is worth so much more.  Although we would love to thank you in person with big hugs, we're hoping that our list of rewards will suffice.  Please check out the list starting at $1!

Journey Through Smyrna is the first documentary film to explore the lost heritage of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) on actual location, while at the same time, building an incredible bridge between the past and the present through intercultural cooperation.  The funding will give an unprecedented opportunity for people of not only Greece and Turkey, but the entire world to experience and build on.  Once production is completed,  our goal is to not only share the film, but share the experience live by bringing our musicians on tour and have YOU, the audience, celebrate with us wherever film screenings are held.

This project is incredibly unique in terms of scope as well as deep-rooted nationalistic tensions.  We are are not peace-keepers or special agents, just a group of musicians and filmmakers who want to make a positive affect in the world using our talents and expressions. Your good will, whether through funding or warm wishes, will take us to levels never reached before.

We understand as well that we may not reach our financial goal.  In the event that this happens, we have gathered and continue to network an incredibly skilled and talented circle of film and music professionals who will work for this project due to passion alone.  However, many of us have families to take care of, hence the funding campaign.

 If you love our project but can't help financially, here are ways to help us out:

• Like us on Facebook and Youtube.

• Drop us an email just to say hi and wish us well.

• Share! Share! Share! We understand that money isn't everything.  Other ways to help us is by sharing our IndieGoGo and Facebook pages.  Like us and follow our journey.

Thank you once again for taking the time out to learn about our project.  Again, please drop us a line if you would like to learn more.

All of our love from Smyrna-Izmir…

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