"Kapodistrias- The Governor: Sacrifice Leads to Freedom” by Yiannis Smaragdis, Premieres in New York
ASTORIA, NEW YORK — The story of one of Greece’s most significant statesmen arrived on the big screen in New York, as “Kapodistrias– The Governor: Sacrifice Leads to Freedom” by Greek director Giannis (Yannis) Smaragdis, premiered at the Redstone Theatre of the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on Saturday, November 29, 2025, ahead of the Greek theatrical releases cheduled for December 25, 2025.
The evening was organized by Nick Stamatakis, of the online news site, Hellenic scope. Attendees included officials from Greece and the diaspora, including the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Medoni, Consul General of Greece, Iphigenia Kanara, the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, Agi Balta, as well as leaders of Greek American organizations and members of the wider community. The atmosphere in the hall reflected both pride and emotion, as the audience honored a man whose life was defined by duty and sacrifice.
A Statesman Between Heaven, Europe, and Greece
The film focuses on Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of modern Greece and one of the most influential diplomats of his time. Born into a noble family—with a father of count rank and a mother from an aristocratic Cypriot lineage—Kapodistriaswas known for his sharp mind, gentle character, and deep faith in God.
Smaragdis chooses to follow the most decisive period of his life,roughly between the ages of 30 and 55. During these years, Kapodistrias rose from local politician to Foreign Minister of Russia under Czar Alexander I, where he took part in major diplomatic negotiations that helped shape post-Napoleonic Europe. Among his achievements was his role in securing Switzerland as a free and unifiedcountry andinfluencing discussions around the future of France and the most important role he played in helping liberate Greece from the Ottoman Empire’s Occupation.
Despite his prominence in European politics, his heart never left Greece. Behind the scenes, Kapodistrias supported the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire, offering strategic guidance, financial and political support at a time when the great powers; Austria, France, and Britain, often tried to protect their own interests at Greece’s expense. The film shows how these foreign powers initially avoided backing the uprising,and after the liberation,seeking to gain influence over the newly liberated nation,by working through different Greek sides, competing for influence and power.
Portrayal
Greek actor Antonis Myriagkos delivered a compelling interpretation of Ioannis Kapodistrias, capturing both his multilingual sophistication and the quiet authority associated with the statesman’s aristocratic background. Finbar Lynch offered an equally strong performance as Kapodistrias’ formidable rival, Klemens von Metternich, bringing sharpness and restraint to the role.
Smaragdisfocused on the Hero’sLeadership as Sacrifice
At the core of the film is the idea that Kapodistrias’ entire life was a mission. His path is portrayed almost as a sacred assignment: to help Greece stand on its feet after centuries of foreign domination, from Rome’s conquest, through the Byzantine era, and then under Ottoman occupation in Greece, Kapodistria’s big dream was to return to the ancient ideals of Democracy. One of the most moving threads in the film is his relationship with Roksandra Sturdza, the great love of his life. Political obstacles and interventions from powerful circles in Austria prevented their marriage to break and undermine him. The film underlines how Kapodistrias accepted this loss as part of his larger duty, putting the future of Greece above his own happiness.
A Martyr for a New Nation
When Kapodistrias was called to become the first Governor of Greece, he knew that enemies at the homeland and abroad were plotting against him. Localleaders and tax collectors of the time who had prospered with the Ottomans,under Ottoman rule, and now wanted to maintain their hold over the new Greeknation, saw Kapodistria’s ancient Hellenic ideals, reforms, and his push for a more just, democratic order, as a threat to their position and power.
Despite warnings of an assassination plot, Kapodistrias proudly accepted andtraveled to Greece to assume his role. Smaragdis connects his decision with the path of Christ: accepting suffering and death for the sake of others and the rebirth of Hellas. Ultimatelyin the end, he was assassinated with the help of foreign powers and by the members of the families who now opposed his efforts to install the ancient Greek Ideals of democracy, which would limit their power and put personal gainabove the nation- and usher in the new oppressors.
A Premiere with a Message to the Diaspora
The choice to unveil the film abroad, particularly in Astoria, New York, home to one of the largest Greek communities outside Greece, was symbolic. It acknowledges the enduring contribution of the Greek diaspora, whose support has repeatedly strengthened the homeland: from raising money during the fight against Ottoman / Turkishrule, to aiding Greece through the World Wars, and remembering themore than one million Greeks of Asia Minor who were lost by the Ottoman Turks during the early 20th-century persecutions that erased communities rooted there for over three millennia. That same spirit continues today, as Greeks abroad advocate for national interests and share Hellenic culture on the world stage.
Kapodistrias– The Governor: Sacrifice Leads to Freedom” is aproduction that has already drawn international attention. Even before filming began, Giannis Smaragdis received the 1st International Personality “IoannisKapodistrias” Award from the Academy of Greek Arts Awards, recognizing his commitment to bringing pivotal Greek historical figures to the screen.
With this new film,Smaragdis adds another chapter to his long engagement with stories of faith, courage, and national identity. The film invites viewers not to just to learn about Ioannis Kapodistrias, but to reflect on what true loyalty, determination and leadership looks like, and on the sacrifices that often stand behind the freedom of a nation and it’s people.
