I was enchanted by the story of Greek navigator and benefactor of Greece and Russia, Ioannis Varvakis, which is an epic tale that begins at the humble shores of the Aegean island of Psara - prior to the Greek rebellion against the Turks - reaches the court of Catherine the Great and the Russian steppes and ends in a war-torn Greece during the Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. One might ask, “Why make a film for Ioannis Varvakis today”? Because the future of humankind is its radiant past. Ioannis Varvakis is a vivid personality that journeys from the past to brighten our future. I was captivated because Ioannis Varvakis realized what could bring real meaning to his life and take him a step closer to happiness, thus donating his fortune to his fellow men, in the name of Love. And so, this film follows the adventurous life of Ioannis Varvakis, searching for answers to these questions: What secret life can a man lead? What makes a hero? What makes a good person? Do we choose our own path in life or is a higher power guiding our step? And can any one of us ever truly be free?
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