Yparho tells the story of legendary Greek singer Stelios Kazantzidis.
The movie doesn't approach him as just an idol. Instead, it manages to provide some valuable insights into his character, showing the tough childhood that included losing his father and led to the dominant role of his mother. Then came his meteoric rise from an unknown member of the working class to an absolute icon. But it's interesting he still couldn't quite enjoy his success. He felt uncomfortable performing in luxurious night clubs for the glamorous upper class, he'd rather relate with the poor, hapless and underprivileged. Furthermore, he couldn't come to terms with the idea that record labels were making a fortune by taking advantage of the artists and he went to great lengths to stand up for his and his colleagues' rights. Add to all that the struggles in his personal life and one gets a good idea of his complex state of mind.
It could be argued that it avoids some of the edgy stuff around his life and doesn't go as deep as it could in order to maintain its appeal to the masses, but at the same time there is nothing "cheap" about it and it keeps a nice balance. As a result, the movie is highly entertaining, draws the viewer in and flows smoothly through its entire running time.
Keeping the same attitude, the movie remains straightforward despite the narrative starting with the main character being a middle aged man and talking about his past in an interview.
Great casting choices. Christos Mastoras, Klelia Renesi and Asimenia Voulioti are portraying the key characters and they all are delivering powerful performances.
Yparho also does a great job at taking you back to the time period where the narrated events take place and makes it feel authentic.
The music is excellent by itself, but is also used wisely in terms of fitting the narrative and achieving the desired emotional effect.
On a final note, it has to be said that Kazantzidis is an essential part of Greece's history and popular culture. Many people grew up with these songs, so that alone makes for a very moving watching experience and it's easy for the audience to ignore any imperfections or sidestep any complaints, especially if you watch it on the big screen and share the experience with many others.
