NOVEL
“Recrucified” is an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’s international best-selling novel Christ Recrucified.
The original story takes place in 1921 within a small Greek community under Ottoman rule. On the surface, everyone seems extremely righteous, following Christian religion to the letter. But when a group of Greek refugees arrives seeking for shelter, the community’s elders deny them entry to their village.
Christ Recrucified has been one of the most successful and internationally recognizable novels written by Nikos Kazantzakis. It has been translated in 36 languages and dialects, including Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Afrikaans and Kurdish. The book has retained best-seller status in Greek publishing for the past 30 years and remains in the top searches of readers, having sold millions of copies worldwide.
Although the source material takes place over a century ago, this new film adaptation comments on the unfailing tendency of the Greeks to turn against each other and conveniently collaborate with their conquerors, instead of rising up against them. RECRUCIFIED investigates our willingness to sacrifice our interest and well-being for the sake of our fellow man. Or lack thereof.
ABOUT NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Nikos Kazantzakis remains one of the major literary voices of the 20th century and the most internationally translated Greek writer of the modern era. He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times between 1947 and 1957, reflecting sustained international recognition, although he never received the award mainly for political reasons. Albert Camus who received the prize in 1957, is widely reported to have later remarked that Kazantzakis deserved it more. Kazantzakis’s uncompromising exploration of faith, freedom and commitment to moral responsibility made him both celebrated and controversial during his lifetime. “Christ Recrucified” has inspired significant adaptations on screen and stage, including the 1957 film “He Who Must Die” directed by Jules Dassin and the opera “The Greek Passion” by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů, which premiered in Zurich in 1961 and has since been staged internationally. Alongside Michael Cacoyannis’s Academy Award–winning “Zorba the Greek” and Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of “The Last Temptation of Christ”, these works demonstrate the enduring global impact and artistic adaptability of Kazantzakis’s vision — a legacy that Recrucified continues for a new generation.
KAZANTZAKIS & PAPADOULAKIS IN NUMBERS
36
is the number of languages and dialects in which the novel “Christ Recrucified” has been translated and published all over the World.
9
times was Kazantzakis nominated for the Nobel Prize.
1.000+
translations of his works have been published around the world, rendering Nikos Kazantzakis the most translated Greek author of all time.
8
nominations and 3 Academy Awards were the result of Kazantzakis’ novels adapted for the big screen: “Zorba the Greek” was nominated for 7 and won 3 awards (1965) and Martin Scorsese was also nominated for directing “The Last Temptation of Christ” (1989).
80%
This record-breaking viewership was achieved by the TV adaptation of “Christ Recrucified” in 1975. The series caused the “empty street phenomenon” each time an episode was on.
3
Theo’s short film My Brother reached 3 million views in just two days upon its release in December 2019, setting a viewership record.
3,5
million viewers watched the last episode of “The Island”, the most popular drama of recent TV history in Greece, directed by Theo Papadoulakis. Ratings exceeded 36% of general population and reached 84% of people watching TV at that time.
70+
international awards have been awarded to Theo Papadoulakis by festivals around the world.