KYUKA
The island of Poros on the big screen
Poros has once more been chosen as the main location for a movie. This autumn, the young and promising director Kostis Charamountanis and Heretic production company filmed the Greek movie “KYUKA” in several locations at Poros. For three weeks, starting from September 27th, Katheti supported the production for both the casting and the shooting stages.
The past
Looking back in time, we can find Poros in some of the most amusing black and white movies of the Greek cinema. Neorio bay was the idyllic location where Dimitris Horn and the stunning Yvonne Sanson shared their love in the movie “Μια ζωή την έχουμε” (We only live once). We all remember the movie “Η Αλίκη στο ναυτικό” (Alice in the Navy) starring Aliki Vougiouklaki and Dimitris Papamichail walking and singing at Neorio, or Lambros Konstantaras as a survivor captain returning home in the movie “Καπετάν Φάντης Μπαστούνης” (Captain Jack of Spades). Additionally, who can forget Thanassis Vengos jumping into the sea at the port of Poros, after being chased by a group of women in the movie “Τύφλα να ‘χει ο Μάρλον Μπράντο” (Eat your heart out, Marlon Brando).
The present
“KYUKA” is a modern life-story movie about a family sailing to Poros for their summer vacation. A summer break, in which the family comes face to face with shadows from their past. In one of our talks, young director Kostis Charamountanis revealed to us why he chose Poros to film the movie “KYUKA”: He said “As a kid, I was visiting Poros almost every year with my parents and my sister. The bay of Megalo Neorio was the place where we used to anchor our sailing boat, swim and fish. We were eating at “Petros” taverna and some days we were taking the bus to go to downtown Poros and buy sweets at “Glykisma” patisserie. I have very fond memories and this is the reason for making this movie at Poros”.
The experience
The shooting phase took place in different locations at Poros, although most of the script was taking place on a sailing boat anchored at the bay of Megalo Neorio. The shooting schedule was daily, long and demanding, but the whole team’s professionalism and positive spirit led to a promising result. Many local people got the chance to get involved one way of the other. After participating in the casting call, few locals took part in the movie, in different supporting roles. Additionally, some local professionals supported the making of the movie. Some of them were: Sofia Konstantinidou (“Petros” tavern), Kostas Sofianos (fishing market), Vaggelis and Kostas Skamnakis (earthmoving machines), Vangelis Vikos (Vikos marine store) and Thanassis Drougkas (super market). Last but not least, the production was supported by Poros Municipality when needed.
The shooting of “KYUKA” movie leaves us with wonderful feelings. We had the chance to work with some amazing and talented actors and shooting crew. We send our appreciation to both Danae Spathara (Producer) and Dionysia Dimitrakellou (Production Manager) for their professionalism. We wish best of luck to the movie director Kostis Charamountanis and we look forward to the movie premiere on Poros next summer.
Katheti participates in efforts, as well as creates opportunities that strengthen the creativity of our community. Such examples are the theatrical seminar “From the tribes of the world to our ‘tribe’” the “Theater Documentation of Poros, Troizinia and Methana” workshop, the “Passage” theater play, the visual arts exhibition “Bridges” and the photo exhibition “Athlesis”.
