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6.8/10
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Members of the Baltatzis family recount the 1922 burning of Smyrna, Greece, including the assault on vibrant Greek and Armenian communities.Members of the Baltatzis family recount the 1922 burning of Smyrna, Greece, including the assault on vibrant Greek and Armenian communities.Members of the Baltatzis family recount the 1922 burning of Smyrna, Greece, including the assault on vibrant Greek and Armenian communities.
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10chrikalk
I have never seen any historically accurate film before. I think Mimi Denissi wrote an excellent scenario with a brilliant cast. Cruel and touching.
The violence that took place in Smyrna in 1922, in reality, was much more horrific than what the film shows us.this is what those who experienced the events at that time say. These stories have been passed down to the next generations and we must not forget them. After all, there are also photos of the uprooting of the Greeks who lived in Asia. No one can dispute that.
Great job Mrs. Denissi! This movie must be watched by all over the world. They must know about these. Don't hear the turkish propaganda.
The violence that took place in Smyrna in 1922, in reality, was much more horrific than what the film shows us.this is what those who experienced the events at that time say. These stories have been passed down to the next generations and we must not forget them. After all, there are also photos of the uprooting of the Greeks who lived in Asia. No one can dispute that.
Great job Mrs. Denissi! This movie must be watched by all over the world. They must know about these. Don't hear the turkish propaganda.
10roshap
It's a good movie and worth a watch. Acting is ok. Shows violence and sexual scene. Highlights the tension between Greeks and Turks, and the unjust Turkish occupation of Smyrna, which eventually led to the city's destruction. After the Turkish army invades Smyrna, Greece, the Turkish army massacres countless Greek and Armenian residents making the rest refugees. A darker moment in history.
*Beware of the Turkish propaganda thriving in this comments section though. Sadly this always the case with any mention of Greek or Armenian.. Odd that Erdogan still uses this time frame as a reference and veiled threat towards Greeks and Armenians today. All I can say is you can't rewrite history, but we sure as heck can keep it there. No one wants this again in any direction.
*Beware of the Turkish propaganda thriving in this comments section though. Sadly this always the case with any mention of Greek or Armenian.. Odd that Erdogan still uses this time frame as a reference and veiled threat towards Greeks and Armenians today. All I can say is you can't rewrite history, but we sure as heck can keep it there. No one wants this again in any direction.
Lots of claims of inaccuracies but it seems that those claims are wrong according to Wikipedia: Burning_of_Smyrna. Also, the claim they Smyrna was always Turkish is not true, it was founded by Ancient Greeks according to Wikipedia: Smyrna. The movie is worth watching in its own right without having to get into politics. The set is beautiful and the story compelling. The music and discussion at the end can be skipped. Some acting was not the best but overall it was good. The costumes were on par. It really captured what it was like to live there at that time. Yes, it was told from the Greek point of view but what do expect from a Greek movie.
I went to see Smyrna with great trepidation. I was worried I would get too upset. I did lose it. The movie evokes a time and place that pains me for all the hope that was Smyrna, and what the city could have become. The film is a reflection of an opportunity lost due to nationalistic and religious ideologies clashing with the lives of people, until these people were annihilated. The vision of a new Turkey did not include the storied inhabitants that were outside the mold Ataturk had cast.
All 4 of my grandparents were born in Asia Minor with 1000s year's history. All the bones of my ancestors are still there. Their bones nourish the food grown there. When you visit Turkey, in the countryside you will not see any graveyards with my family's names nor the churches where their sacraments were performed.
My father's family left Aidinio (now Aydin) thru Smyrna after my father's oldest brother, barely 18, was shot dead by regional irregulars.
I have heard and read my aunts and uncles stories and diaries. The movie is a faithful representation of the thoughts and events. My father's father was shot by the lead hand, who was Turkish, after he handed him the keys and asked him to take care of their orchard until they returned. Thankfully he lived. I know the plot is of a wealthy family from inside Smyrna, but the ethnic cleansing happened throughout Anatolia.
The port scenes made me cry because my aunt who was a toddler was lost over a gang plank and drowned in Smyrna harbor. The horrors of the port were nowhere as gruesome as what really took place.
After you see the movie, go out and learn for yourselves what took place. Although Ernest Hemingway was not present during the burning of Smyrna, he wrote for the Toronto Star and filed stories for the paper as many others have. As well as writing "On the Quai at Smyrna".
I want to thank the Producers of the movie for their courage and dedication to bringing this story forward and opening the eyes of some while others keep them tightly closed. Have no fear, open your eyes.
All 4 of my grandparents were born in Asia Minor with 1000s year's history. All the bones of my ancestors are still there. Their bones nourish the food grown there. When you visit Turkey, in the countryside you will not see any graveyards with my family's names nor the churches where their sacraments were performed.
My father's family left Aidinio (now Aydin) thru Smyrna after my father's oldest brother, barely 18, was shot dead by regional irregulars.
I have heard and read my aunts and uncles stories and diaries. The movie is a faithful representation of the thoughts and events. My father's father was shot by the lead hand, who was Turkish, after he handed him the keys and asked him to take care of their orchard until they returned. Thankfully he lived. I know the plot is of a wealthy family from inside Smyrna, but the ethnic cleansing happened throughout Anatolia.
The port scenes made me cry because my aunt who was a toddler was lost over a gang plank and drowned in Smyrna harbor. The horrors of the port were nowhere as gruesome as what really took place.
After you see the movie, go out and learn for yourselves what took place. Although Ernest Hemingway was not present during the burning of Smyrna, he wrote for the Toronto Star and filed stories for the paper as many others have. As well as writing "On the Quai at Smyrna".
I want to thank the Producers of the movie for their courage and dedication to bringing this story forward and opening the eyes of some while others keep them tightly closed. Have no fear, open your eyes.
"Smyrna," "Smyrna, My Beloved," also known as "Smyrna, Agapimeni Mou" commemorates the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Smyrna.
A century after the catastrophe of Smyrna comes to life a moving drama about a Greek woman whose family diary recounts the 1922 burning of the cosmopolitan city of Smyrna where Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Jews, and Turks once lived together harmoniously.
The legendary actress Mimi Denissi is the creative force behind the masterpiece. The film is based on her play, which ran in Athens for an astonishing three seasons and was seen by more than one million viewers. She co-wrote the script and stars in the film.
As someone with roots from Smyrna, this movie shares so many common stories with those that my ancestors have passed down for generations about the atrocities that happened 100 year ago. The film was made with stunning imagery and remarkable historical accuracy.
A century after the catastrophe of Smyrna comes to life a moving drama about a Greek woman whose family diary recounts the 1922 burning of the cosmopolitan city of Smyrna where Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Jews, and Turks once lived together harmoniously.
The legendary actress Mimi Denissi is the creative force behind the masterpiece. The film is based on her play, which ran in Athens for an astonishing three seasons and was seen by more than one million viewers. She co-wrote the script and stars in the film.
As someone with roots from Smyrna, this movie shares so many common stories with those that my ancestors have passed down for generations about the atrocities that happened 100 year ago. The film was made with stunning imagery and remarkable historical accuracy.
Did you know
- TriviaIn a specific scene of the film, the murder of the politician Ion Dragoumis is particularly mentioned. Almost right after this there is a scene with the actress Natalia Dragoumi. This is not a coincidence. Ms. Dragoumi is a direct descendant of the brother of the said politician.
- Quotes
George Horton: [on the phone, trying to procure rescue ships] Yes, I'm in Smyrna. The city is on fire! There are 350,000 Greeks, trapped in the port. Tchetas are killing and raping.
- ConnectionsReferences Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
- How long is Smyrna?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Smyrna, My Beloved
- Filming locations
- Lesvos, Greece(on location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $8,746
- Runtime
- 2h 21m(141 min)
- Color
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