The 1st “Vesuvius” Prize at the Naples International Festival, in the “New Cinema” category, was awarded to the film “Calabria” by Cristina Mantis, whose music is signed by her father’s music composer Alexandros Hachalis.
Yes, yes the internationally renowned artist, has a double role in the film, as a co-star.
They had also preceded major accolades for the filmafter he had detached the 1st prize at the Bari and Catanzaro International Film Festivals, while on October 18 was screened with honor at the Milan International Women’s Film Festival.
Alexandros Hachalis, speaking to the newspaper “Peloponnisos” for these great distinctions, he noted:
“When him October 2021 Christina Madis invited me to start shooting the movie “Kalavria” in southern Italy I was movedbecause we’ve been talking about it for at least 5 years.
Christina and I have been close friends and partners since 1996when we jointly signed a theatrical blockbuster of the Eleusinian Mysteries in Italy.
It comes from the ancient Greek city of Syvari in Calabriaand he has a Greek consciousness, much stronger than most Greeks I know.
Over the years he conceived the idea of creating this film so that more people could know the inner spiritual world and its history despised but beautiful region of Lower Italyknown since ancient times as Great Greecealong with Sicily, Puglia, Vasilica and Campania.
So he asked me, huh?in addition to the soundtrack to co-star as the timeless Apollonius the Greektogether with well known in Europe actor Ivan Franek who plays Odysseus / shipwrecked who arrives there, also having memory loss”.
Referring to peculiarity of the movie “Calabria”Alexandros Hahalis explained: “This film highlights the deepest spiritual timeless calli of Calabriabeyond the reputation it has in general public as a place of action of the Mafia, known as Dragettaanother word with a Greek root (andragathia), as I explain in the film flow. I even composed a stanza in the Greek dialect “Grekanika”‘ which I found in a wonderful theater in the village of Galitsanos (originating from ancient Kaliko, today’s Kilkis), which became one of the central themes of the film. It’s a brave film about searching for our remote soul.”
CRITICAL COMMITTEE
The motivation of the jury, for the distinction of the film “Calabria”the actor presented Nando Paone:
“A poetic and evocative film which through myth manages to narrate the complexity and pain of our synchronicity. Showing in an unprecedented way a beautiful region, the heart of Magna Graecia, degraded first by crime and the blindness of politics, then also by prejudice and abandonment.”
#International #awards #paternal #composer #Alexandros #Hahalis #Vesuvius #with.. #paternal #lava
**Interview with Alexandros Hachalis: Celebrating the Success of “Calabria” at the Naples International Festival**
**Editor**: Welcome, Alexandros! Congratulations on the success of your film “Calabria” at the Naples International Festival. What does it feel like to receive the prestigious “Vesuvius” Prize in the “New Cinema” category?
**Alexandros Hachalis**: Thank you! It is an incredible honor to receive such recognition, especially at a festival with the history and reputation of the Naples International Festival. To see our hard work come to fruition is truly rewarding, and I’m grateful that audiences are resonating with our film.
**Editor**: Your daughter, Cristina Mantis, is the director of ”Calabria,” and you also composed the music. Can you tell us about your collaboration on this project?
**Alexandros**: Working with Christina is always a profound experience. We’ve been partners in creativity since 1996, and to finally bring this vision to life has been a dream come true. We’ve been discussing “Calabria” for years, and when she invited me in 2021 to start shooting in southern Italy, I was deeply moved. It felt like the right moment for both of us.
**Editor**: It sounds like there’s a deep personal connection to the film. How does your Greek heritage influence the narrative of “Calabria”?
**Alexandros**: Absolutely. The film’s roots in the ancient Greek city of Syvari in Calabria connect us to a rich history and culture. The story is imbued with themes that reflect my Greek consciousness and the spiritual legacy of our ancestors. It’s important for me to share these aspects with broader audiences, as they form a fundamental part of who I am and what I want to convey through our work.
**Editor**: Besides winning at the Naples International Festival, “Calabria” has also garnered awards at the Bari and Catanzaro International Film Festivals. How does it feel to receive such honors?
**Alexandros**: Each award is an affirmation of our efforts and a testament to the creativity and passion that went into this project. It’s encouraging to see that the film resonates with diverse audiences, and these accolades motivate us to continue telling meaningful stories.
**Editor**: Lastly, “Calabria” was screened at the Milan International Women’s Film Festival. How does it feel to be part of a platform that elevates women’s voices in cinema?
**Alexandros**: I think it’s essential to support narratives that celebrate and amplify women’s experiences, especially in the film industry. Cristina’s direction and vision are vital to the film’s success. I hope that our work can inspire others and contribute to a more inclusive cinematic landscape.
**Editor**: Thank you for sharing your insights, Alexandros. We wish you and Cristina continued success with “Calabria”!
**Alexandros**: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss our film.
