Bouboulina

Very interesting film about the Greek War of Independence heroine Bouboulina. Who helped defeat the Ottoman Empire and liberate Greece as a naval commander. Shows the suffering Greeks went through at the time but also the humorous side to small island life in Spetses. Even though shot on a small budget the battle scenes on the ships look amazing. Irene Papas, in her first starring role plays her with expertise, portraying the passion that drove her to become such an important figure in Greek history. You can feel a sense of freedom coming in the use of the beautiful, vast open air island photography, the sense that the many Greek islanders are finally overcoming the few oppressive Turks there and of course the theme of the freedom of the open seas, which Bouboulina reiterates throughout the film that all she ever wanted to do since she was younger was to sail the wide open seas. With this film we feel like we can sail with her.