The young creator Damianos Branidis brings his childhood memories and the authentic feeling of life in a traditional Greek village to the screen through the short film “The Cross”. Starring four children, the film tells a coming-of-age story that combines the challenges of adolescence with the director’s personal experiences, while highlighting the value of friendship, perseverance and the dreams we all once chased.
The film “The Cross” (which is currently in the editing process), takes us on a journey to a traditional Greek village, through the eyes of four teenagers who go on vacation. Damianos Branidis, inspired by his own childhood experiences, creates a film that highlights the importance of the bicycle as a symbol of power and social status. His personal connection with the bicycle, a hobby and means of transport from an early age as he notes speaking to pelop.gr, is reflected in every scene.
Essentially, the film is the “examinations” of Damianos Brandis at the Washaw Film School and although initially the whole project seemed like a “mountain” to him, as he typically says, during its development his opinion changed, without meaning that there were no difficulties. After all, the film’s motto is: “A wooden cross and bicycles, symbols of status, power and respect for boys. But who is the strongest to obtain them?’ and Damian appeared strong enough, completing his first venture.
The story centers on one of the four kids, who dreams of owning a shiny bike to prove his worth. His uncle, who lives permanently in the village, sets him a challenge: he will get the coveted bicycle if he carries the cross in the village litany. But to do this he must first win a cycling race using his old bike. Through this challenge, Damianos Branidis examines the concept of success and personal worth, combining tradition with his personal experience.
The bicycle is not just a means of transport but also a symbol of male success in the film as Damianos Brandides points out and continues: “The film touches on the idea of men’s success being measured by the objects they have, like the bicycle for children , the engine for the father and the cross in the litany for the uncle. We look at how this perception shapes people’s lives and affects their relationships.”
An important aspect of the film is that it does not include female characters. As the director explains: “The film focuses on the boyish world that I know best. I chose to focus on this world because it is my own experience and reality. While it could have made an interesting film with female characters, there was no need for them in the story I wanted to tell. The children’s world I examine is the one I have lived and understood best.”
Filming took place from August 3 to 6 in the scenic areas of Ano and Kato Vlasia, with the warm support of the local community. And they may say that in the cinema it is difficult to play with children and quadrupeds, but the experience of Damianos Brandides shows the opposite, as he notes that although the filming was quite tiring, they were excited by the experience.
The film “The Cross” will be screened at Kino Electronic in Warsaw, while there are plans to submit it to festivals both in Greece and abroad. The film is not just a narrative work, but an honest reflection of Damianos Brandides’ personal journey and his precious memories.
Info:
Credits and Crew
Screenplay, Direction, Production: Damianos Brandidis
Director of Photography: Denise Gunner
Assistant Director: Dimitris Stamatopoulos
Sound Engineering and Drone Handling: Konstantinos Potamianos
Illuminator: Firat Oulutas
Production Direction: Sankletiki Vlahaki
Set photographer: Christos Stamatopoulos, Thodoris Sorras
Set Production Assistants, Sound Engineers: Vassilis Manoudakis, Christos Papadopoulos
Local Coordinator & Set Production Assistant: Marios Apostolopoulos
Costume designer, Prop Master: Katerina Dipla
Guide: Nikos Simeonidis
Cast
Spyros: Dimitris Artavanis
Christos: Christos Mastrogiannopoulos
Babis: George Artavanis
Markos: Alexis Grauzinis
Pappas: Christos Strepkos
Uncle Spyrou: Fanis Diplas
Spirou’s father: Alexandros Koukias
Special thanks
The entire village of Vlasia for the immediate support of the filming
Panagiotis Livanis, President of the village of Ano Vlasia
Panagiotis Kotsiris, Hotel “The Little Lady”, Ano Vlasia
Tavern/Cafe “Erymanthos”, Ano Vlasia
Marios Apostolopoulos
Stratos Iliomarkakis
Marios Nikolopoulos
Vassilis Vlahakis
Petros Kolotouros
George Maropoulos
Dear Mandragou
Parents and families of the teenage actors for their trust
Hotel “The Little Princess”, Ano Vlasia
“Tzoumakas” Supermarket, Kalavryta
“Andrikopoulos” Supermarket, Patras
Sailboat charter, www.sailyourway.gr
Mini Market “The grocery store of Vlasia”, Kato Vlasia
“Ta Platania” Tavern, Metochi
“Kranos Import GmbH”, Hannover, Germany
#childhood #dream #adulthood