Filming in Mochos - Pictures and write-up courtesy of Liz

Today was an exciting one for the village. The film crew from the movie "Eden a L'ouest (Eden in West) were in the village to start day 49 of the filming. The film is about an illegal alien who comes to seek his fortune in the west and it follows his travels. It is due to be released early in 2009. The square was the main venue for filming and activity started early in the day with the arrival of the trucks full of the equipment needed. These were parked by the large supermarket meaning that no large vehicle could pass through the village. Local police were on hand to block the road and divert traffic. This worked very well until one of them was hungry and as he ate his lunch in the taverna, a big lorry tried to get into the square causing a commotion until it was removed.
Producers and staff were there to prepare the locals for their roles as extras as well as the main stars. The doctors surgery and the office next door were used for hair and make-up. A small disused house near the church was the set, prepared as a shop; outside a small market selling chickens and caged birds, a tractor and trailer and old trucks complete with wool, grain and straw completed the set.
The film, set in various places around Europe including Crete, Italy and Paris is being produced by Costas Gavras a very famous producer. The lead male is Riccardo Scamarcio, and one of the main ladies is Greek actress Dina Mihailidis. The producers and assistants have visited the village many times in preparation for the filming. Filming started at around 13.00 and finished around 20.30 with the set being quickly cleared afterwards. The local tavernas supplied food and drinks for the day and in the evening, the directors and producers, Italian newspaper reporters, drivers and crew ate at Rodamanthis Taverna. It was a busy and exciting day for many as most had never seen a film in production. The village children, of course, had a great day running round and sitting on set, with over 20 being included in the actual filming.

First Cretan night of 2008

Firstly I will apologise for the poor quality of the pictures, I am having technical problems with taking pictures in the dark.
Today was the first Cretan night of the year and this year they will be very special. This year all of the musicians and dancers are from the village. In addition all of the dances are Cretan, with no Greek dances included. Nico, pictured below with Ritza, has been training the dancers over the winter. Niko is a wonderful dancer and talented Lyra player and singer. I think the dancers this year danced better as a team than previously, so well done all of you. Another thing I loved about this years dancing is the inclusion of the junior group who danced exceptionally well for their age.
If any tech bods out there want to advise me I have a Nikon Coolpix 3700 and cannot take moving pictures in the dark when there are lights around too.....