A cinematic journey through untold emotions and the timeless beauty of Santorini, as narrated by Alexandros Panousis (playwright)
“The Steps – Ta Skalopatia”, as described by Alexandros Panousis (playwright), is the first film ever shot entirely on the island of Santorini. Based on May Sarton’s 1963 novel Joanna and Ulysses, the story follows Joanna, a young aspiring painter who escapes from emotional distress in Athens to seek peace and inspiration in her native island, Santorini. The film adaptation, released in 1966 under the direction of Leonard Hirschfield and with a screenplay co-written by Vassilis Vassilikos and Glenn P. Wolfe, stars the legendary Irene Papas in the lead role. Accompanied by a stellar cast including Takis Emmanuel and Spyros Fokas, and with music composed by Manos Hadjidakis, the film combines poetic storytelling with the breathtaking scenery of Santorini. From scenes featuring donkeys climbing the island’s 587 stone steps to emotionally charged moments at Joanna’s ancestral home in Oia, the film captures the raw beauty and emotional depth of the landscape. It stands as a landmark cinematic work that brought the unique aura of Santorini to the international stage for the first time.
