Testimonials

The cinematographic charm of the Ionian Islands

The wider island landscape of the Ionian islands, so much the inland as much as the surrounding water surface of the Ionian Sea around them becomes both a challenge and a call for any kind of film production, Greek but mainly international.

The varied natural configuration of the islands, in the mountainous, lowland and coastal parts of their surface, ideally serves the narrative requirements of the scenarios. A large part of both the residential form (traditional and modern buildings) and the natural beauty everywhere around, remains unchanged over time, offering a variety of natural scenes in all kinds of cinematic shots.

The Ionian Sea, unique in its color and calm during most months of the year, stretches on excellent sandy beaches (a feature that sets the Ionian Islands apart from the rest of island Greece), but at the same time surrounds the impressive steep west coasts of the islands, with magnificent coves of international recognition, such as the world-famous seascape of the Shipwreck in Zakynthos.

The climate itself, always mild even in the winter months, serves any kind of outdoor shooting without problems for the crews or any emergency breaks due to sudden climate change. The colors that dominate in Nature, the light green from the vineyards of the island plains, the silver deep green of the vast olive groves, the gray brown of the cliffs and the coastal rocks, the golden of the fine-grained sand, the various shades of light in the sky, the sea and all around, are all primary inspirational materials for any kind of production.

Finally, the inhabitants of the islands themselves, the Ionians. Calm and particularly congenial with foreign visitors, as for 4 centuries they developed as local communities within the European culture. Initially under the sovereignty and supervision of the Venetian Republic and then under the control of the British commissioners, they were the southeastern European tip of the then British Empire for 50 whole years, until they joined the newly formed Greek state in 1864.

In the DNA of the Ionian Islands there is a given: the sociability, the musicality of the dialects of each island and a constant, varied artistic activity, beyond their daily professions. Literally, constant volunteers of Art and Culture. Musicians, singers, dancers, poets, amateurs and professional actors, offer to the producers involved in the Ionian Islands, a highly capable human resource to effectively meet the requirements of any audiovisual creation.

Tony Lykouresis, Director

«Filming in the Ionian islands was an utter delight.»

This is such a crux of culture, and beauty and spirit – the seedbed of so much history, of so many game-changing moments in the story of humanity. Whether you are following the trail of Odysseus or the Durrell family, whether you are drinking in the heavenly sun, sea and sky – or reading the myths while sipping a glass of ambrosial wine in Corfu Old Town – it feels to me impossible not to be happy here. Our Greek Island Odyssey landmark TV series – which took 6 months to make and is now making its own Odyssey around the world, was an epic adventure. And we can’t wait to come back for more!’

Bettany Hughes, London 2020

Producer : “Greek Island Odyssey With Bettany Hughes”