Private Project

THE TRAGEDY OF DOMNA VISVIZI


"The Tragedy of Domna Visvizi," is a multidisciplinary work of art combining the poetry of lyrics, music, dance, acting, cinematography and sound design to tell the story of the forsaken and forgotten Greek patriot and heroine Domna Visvizi from the time of her husband's death in 1822, to her own in 1850.

Its purpose is to use the richness and magic that multidisciplinary art is uniquely capable of to breathe life back into Domna Visvizi in a more modern era - today. Through the portal of the camera lens, in the Tragedy of Domna Visvizi, Domna stands before us now, when her status as a woman, mother, wife and warrior are even more reason to pay respect and homage to her incredible generosity, valour and sacrifice rather than disqualify her from the pantheon of great Greek heroes and patriots where she has more than earned her rightful place.
"I cry, but I find no mercy. My screams pierce even the heavens. I fought for freedom and the homeland. I lost my love, my partner, my children... and there is this bitterness. My homeland is not independent yet."
Domna Visvizi - 1826

  • Katerina Giannakopoulou
    Director
    D.O.P., Dimitris Tektonidis
  • Mixalis Iliaskos
    Director
    Voice Over, Katerina Giannakopoulou
  • Mixalis Iliaskos & Katerina Giannakopoulou
    Writer
    Sound Design, Marc Fragstein
  • Greek Natural Videos
    Producer
  • Mixalis Iliaskos
    Key Cast
    "Chatziantonis Visvizi"
  • Katerina Giannakopoulou
    Key Cast
    "Domna Visviizi"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
  • Genres:
    Insprirational, Musicfilm, Experimental, Romancefilm, Documentary, Artfilm
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Greece
  • Country of Filming:
    Greece
  • Language:
    Modern Greek (1453-)
  • Shooting Format:
    Fujifilm XT-3 (aus-c sensor)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Oniros Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    WINNER BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
  • Osiris Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    WINNER Best Dance Choreography
  • Oniros Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    Grand Jury Award Winner Best Song
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    Winner Best Romance
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    Winner Best Scenorgaphy
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    Winner Best Voice Over
  • New York International Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 6, 2020
    Winner Best Dance Choreography
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 2, 2020
    Honorable Mention Romance Film
  • Sicily Independent Film Awards
    Sicily
    Italy
    Best Music Video
  • Oniros Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    December 4, 2020
    Best Scenography
  • Oniros Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    December 4, 2020
    Honorable Mention Best Sound Design
  • Filmcon Awards

    United States
    Best Inspirational Film
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    January 5, 2021
    Best Romance Film (Award of Prestige)
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    January 5, 2021
    Best Duo (Award of Prestige)
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    January 5, 2021
    Best Choreography (Award of Prestige)
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    January 5, 2021
    Best Voice Over (Award of Merit)
  • Vegas Movie Awards
    Las Vegas
    United States
    January 5, 2021
    Best Sound Design (Award of Merit)
  • Athens Inernational Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    January 5, 2021
    Honorable Mention
  • Global Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Actress
  • Global Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Romance Short Film
  • Oasis Inter Film Festival
    Bombay
    India
    Best Music Video
  • Imagine Rain Film Awards

    United States
    BEST ROMANCE FILM
  • Imagine Rain Film Awards

    United States
    BEST INSPIRATIONAL SHORT
  • Imagine Rain Film Awards

    United States
    BEST VOICE OVER
  • Imagine Rain Film Awards

    United States
    Best Original Story
  • Art Film Awards
    Skopia
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Best Actress
  • Art Film Awards
    Skopia
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Honorable Mention Best Director
  • Art Film Awards
    Skopia
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Honorable Mention BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
  • Art Film Awards
    Skopia
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Honorable Mention BEST MUSIC VIDEO
  • Art Film Awards
    Skopia
    Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Honorable Mention BEST POSTER
  • WSXA - International
    Barcelona
    Spain
    BEST INSPIRATIONAL FILM 2021
  • New York Film Awards
    New York
    United States
    BEST INSPIRATIONAL FILM
  • Experimental Dance & Music Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    Audience Award BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • Wallachia International Film Festival

    Romania
    Special Jury Mention
  • 2o AXD Short Film Festival
    Alexandroupoli
    Greece
    June 25, 2021
    Special Mention 2021
  • Continental Film Awards 4th Edition

    Best European Music Video
  • Continental Film Awards 4th Edition

    Best European Actress
  • 12th Bridges International Film Festival
    Corinthos
    Greece
    August 30, 2021
    Oficial Selection
  • 8o Documentary Festival Ierapetra & Awards
    Ierapetra
    Greece
    August 16, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Liftoff Global Network
    Toronto
    Canada
    July 15, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Direct Monthly Online Film Festival

    Best Female Director
  • Direct Monthly Online Film Festival

    Best Editing
  • Direct Monthly Online Film Festival

    Best Romance Film
  • Cannes World Film Festival
    Cannes World Film Festival
    France
    Best Romance Film
Director Biography - Katerina Giannakopoulou, Mixalis Iliaskos

IKaterina is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, writer and director of Greek origin living in Cologne, Germany. With the slogan “ARTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE!” she connects with international artists, filmmakers, associations and organizations with the aim of creating innovative performances and films that deal critically with socially relevant topics, raise awareness, and inform society about them over the long term.

Only Human 1. part - 2021 (Documentary Short)
Director, Dramaturgy, Coach - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Producer - Stephi Siebert
Production Company - cineMars

The Tragedy of Domna Visvizi - 2020 (Experimental Film)
Director, Actress, Dancer, Producer - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Production Company - Greek Natural Videos

Pandemia - 2020 (Experimental Film)
Director, Dancer, Actress, Producer - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Production Company - Public Vision

DIALOG - 2019 (Music Video)
Director, Dancer, Producer - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Production Company - Public Vision

LINIE 18 - 2018 (Experimental Dance Film)
Director, Concept, Choreography, Dance - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Production Company - Greek Natural Videos

LOST & FOUND - 2018 (Dance Film)
Director, Dancer, Actress - Katerina Giannakopoulou -
Production Company - Greek Natural Videos

SEEKER - 2017 (Dance Film)
Director, Dancer, Actress - Katerina Giannakopoulou -
Production Company: Greek Natural Videos

TO FILAXTO - 2016 (Music Video)
Director, Dancer, Concept - Katerina Giannakopoulou
Producer: Greek Natural Videos

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My multidisciplinary collaboration with Mixalis Iliaskos mirrors the relationship of the brave and patriotic Greek couple Visvizi in this cinematic homage filmed by Dimitris Tektonidis.

Switching between my role as director to my dual role as Domna Visvizi (dancer/actress) was only possible with much preparation & teamwork. Mixalis’ knowledge of Greek History, poetry, and the Greek aesthetic inspired and both guided me in becoming Domna Visvizi and allowed me to envision “The Tragedy of Domna Visvizi." With our amazing D.O.P. by our side, our film which initially started as a sketch on a mobile phone, was transformed into a rich multidisciplinary work of art.

Our great love for our Greek homeland lead us, in the mysterious ways life does, to the little known and long forgotten story of Domna Visvizi. Deeply moved and inspired, we immediately began the work of creating a heartfelt homage to Domna Visvizi poignantly recognizing both her great love and sacrifice for our shared homeland. The singer/songwriter/director Mixalis Iliaskos released a new single: "You... My sweet Madonna," with music by Sakis Tsilikis and lyrics by Toula Karoni for this film which is anchored in the powerful romantic bond of mutual admiration shared by the couple Vizvisi as a leitmotif of the dramatic life of this Thracian warrior from 1821 when her husband was killed in battle until her own death.

The lyrics and music of "You… My Sweet Madonna," guided us to interpret and direct the dramatic history of Domna Visvizi, forsaken woman, warrior, mother, wife and lover.

Domna Visvizi and her admiring husband express their love for Greece by forsaking their comfortable lives to fight for the liberation of Ainos and Halkidiki in the revolution of 1821 on their ship, Kalomira. Domna Visvizi's unredeemed valour, formidable gallantry, and undaunted confrontation with fate in the critical moments of her life, and the revolution, entitle her to the position of an awe-inspiring heroine in Greek history. Her extraordinary loyalty and courage elevate her stature to at least that of Bouboulina and Manto Mavrogenous. She died abandoned, poor and forsaken. Through a series of documents, excerpts of which are quoted, one can see the anxiety of the Thracian fighter for the success of the revolution, her great contribution and subsequent utter abandonment by the very state she fought to defend and liberate. Our movie was shot in beautiful Acritic Alexandroupolis, where the flags wave with the essence of Greece.

Lyrics:
You…sweet Madonna
My never-ending story
My homeland longing you are
Open your borders
Place me in your heart
You… my sweet Madonna
like a sacred icon
You are the maelstorm of my love
My sweet pain
Delicate figure like a slender branch you lean
and all the honey you envelop me in
You...my little chasm, lust in my body
You are my bitter doubt
Why are you chasing me?
My exotic Circe take me now to court with your magical voice
if I do not surrender.