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Life Will Smile

"Life Will Smile" is based on the incredible true story of an entire Jewish community surviving WWII, thanks to the brave actions of the people on the Greek island of Zakynthos. A unique occasion in Nazi-occupied Europe.
The documentary is exclusively narrated by one of the Jewish survivors of Zakynthos, Haim Konstantini, who was a 9-year-old boy at the time. The unique, dramatic events are seen through his innocent eyes.

  • Drey Kleanthous
    Director
  • Drey Kleanthous
    Writer
  • Steven Priovolos
    Writer
  • Steven Priovolos
    Producer
  • Haim Konstantini
    Key Cast
    "Himself "
  • Sid Ganis
    Executive Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Holocaust, WWII, Drama
  • Runtime:
    39 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 15, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Greece, Israel
  • Language:
    Modern Greek (1453-)
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Pittsburgh Film Festival
    Pittsburgh
    United States
    May 22, 2018
    North American Premiere
    Silver / Second Place
  • Cast & Crew Screening
    Zakynthos Island
    Greece
    October 7, 2017
    Cast & Crew Screening
  • Contributors & Sponsors Screening
    Athens
    Greece
    December 13, 2017
    Contributors & Sponsors Screening
  • Investors Screening
    London
    United Kingdom
    January 25, 2018
    Investors Screening
  • Rhode Island International Film Festival
    Providence
    United States
    August 9, 2018
    Rhode Island Premiere
    Grand Prize: Hearts, Minds, Souls Award (Celebrating films that reflect the Jewish experience)
  • Consul General of Greece NYC Screening (International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019)
    New York
    United States
    January 23, 2019
    NYC Premiere
Director Biography - Drey Kleanthous

Drey Kleanthous is the director of Life Will Smile and founder of Nomadic Films - a next-generation production company. He has more than two decades worth of experience in film and advertising. His passion lies in discovering, developing and sharing stories that deserve to be told, such as "Life Will Smile", which has been a project very close to his heart. Drey believes in harnessing the human truths that bind us, to create compelling narratives that engage with audiences in a meaningful way. Through this, he believes we can push conversations forward and open up thought-provoking discussions that might ultimately drive change.

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Director Statement

This project has been driven by pure passion. Everyone involved was completely committed to giving their all to make this happen.
The story itself is arresting - and unique in the chronicles of World War II. Coupled with the sheer courage and strength of the central characters it makes it so wonderfully important, not just historically but also in the current climate of the world.
Finally, the fact that we managed to get one of the last remaining survivors of Zakynthos' Jewish community to narrate our story made all the difference in the world. Haim's charisma and storytelling skills have driven this project from day one!