|  Nikos Kazantzakis
(1883 - 1957)
Was a accordinng to many one of the best and most famous Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century. Nikos Kazantzakis was born in year of 1883 in the city of Iraklion.
In 1906 he graduated from the Athens Law School and continued his studies in Paris (1907-1909). During the Balkan Wars he fought as a volunteer in the Greek Army. After the Wars he travelled to many European and Asian countries, publishing travelogues from his trips (Spain, Egypt-Sina, China-Japan, What I saw in Russia, England etc.).
Kazantzakis, much more of a philosopher than a writer, was deeply influenced by the writings of Nietzsche and Bergson , and the philosophies of Christianity , Marxism and Buddhism . In his work, he attempted to synthesize these different world views.
In 1927 he published the book "Askitiki", the main work of his philosophy. In 1938, after constantly revising it for 13 years (1925-1938), he publishes his epic poet Odyssey: A modern sequel , continuing Ulysses's story form the point where Homer leaves off. This huge poetical work comprises of 33.333 verses.
He became famous, however, during the last years of his life, when he turn to pezography. During that time he published, among others, Zorba the Greek (Vios kai politeia tou Alexi Zorba) , The Last Temptation of Christ (O teleutaios peirasmos) , Freedom and Death (O Kapetan Mihalis), The Greek Passion (O Hristos ksanastauronetai) , and his autobiography Report to Greco (Anafora ston Greco) . His book, The Last Temptation of Christ, was considered quite controversial when first published in 1955, and prompted angry reactions from both the Roman Catholic Church which banned it, and from the Greek Orthodox Church which tried to excommunicated him!
 In 28th of June 1956, in Vienna, he was awarded the International Peace Award.
He died in 1957 in Germany and is buried on one of the bastions of the Venetian fort surrounding Iraklion, Martinego .
In the Historical Museum of Crete there is a room devoted to Nikos Kazantzakis. His desk, library, some of his personal belongings as well as manuscripts of many of his works are displayed.
A complete picture of Nikos Kazantzakis life and work can also be acquired by a visit to the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum in Myrtia.
Movies based on Kazantzakis' novels
Celui qui doit mourir (He who must die) (1957)
Kazantzakis' novel The Greek Passion becomes a film under the title "He who must die" and is presented in the Canes festival of 1957. The film was a French - Italian production, and was directed by Jules Dassin. One of the key roles was performed by Melina Merkouri.
Alexis Zorbas (1964)
The film was produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by Mihalis Kakoyiannis. It was based on the novel of Nikos Kazantzakis Zorba the Greek (1946).
According to the script an Englishman finds he has a small inheritance in Crete. When he arrives in Crete, to claim it, he meets Zorbas, a middle aged Greek with a real lust for life.The movie is centered on the personal relationship between these two characters, and the way the Englishman, changes his view on life, influenced by Zorbas' day to day behavior. Anthony Quinn gave a unique performance as Alexis Zorbas. He also invented a new Greek dance during the film, as he had a broken foot and could not perform a vivid dance on the beach as the script required. Instead he performed a slow dance, and when he was asked by the director what that dance was, he made up a name and claimed it was a traditional dance.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Produced by Universal Pictures and directed by the famous director Martin Scorsese, this film was based on Nikos Kazantzakis novel The Last Temptation of Christ (1955). Jesus of Nazareth (played by William Dafoe), sets out to find what God wills of him . He feels guilt for his profession (making crosses for the Romans), is tormented by demons, feels pity for his fellow man and hears the constant call of God. But as his mission nears fulfillment, he finds out he must face up to the greatest temptation of all : leading the normal life of a good man. The film caused a widespread protest from conservative members of Christian organizations. The protests with regard to this story carry a long history as, when the book was published in 1955, it was banned by the Roman Catholic Church. Also, due to this novel, the Greek Orthodox Church excommunicated him. |
