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"We are still negotiating of whether the photos of the film Pythagoras will be in Greece – on the island of Samos, in Pindos and Meteora. But we have strong competition. Spaniards are also struggling to realize the production in their country," says the consultant of the Greek company Ιnkas Film Ρroduction, Lilet Botatsi for Ta Nea newspaper. 

Pythagoras of Samos really caused a Mediterranean duel between Greece and Spain these days. Until the last moment they are competing for the shooting of the film, which is produced by British company Fountain Οf Life Ρroductions, which has already ensured the participation of major Oscar winner actors. 

"Spaniards have already guaranteed attractive offers and hope to get the production. But we are trying to convince foreign producers to entrust it to us too. This is why we will need the financial support of the Ministry of Culture, which we have already informed of our intentions, but we will also need the activation of the local community in Samos. In the end, the financial side will be outweighed by other facilities which can be offered," continues Mrs. Botatsi and adds that "the British will answer in the next two weeks. As of now, we have good chances." 

In Samos everybody wants the film to be shot there. "We are in contact with the Greek company which will take over the production. Right now we are in the initial phase and are arranging accommodation and meals for the big team. We assume that we will need around €150 000-€200 000 and hope to find sponsors," explains Deputy Mayor Nikos Likos. 

John Malkovich, Sophie Marceau, Ben Kingsley, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rachel Weiss, Brandon Fraiser and others will be part of the cast of "Pythagoras: portico of light" directed by Raul Ruiz. It is expected that they will play the roles of characters from the book "Pythagoras of Samos”, by the famous writer Mia Sperber. 

Many other films, which have become blockbusters have been filmed in Greece - "Endless blue" by Luc Besson, the musical "Mamma Mia" with Meryl Streep, "Lara Croft" with Angelina Jolie, "Captain Corelli’s mandolin" with Nicolas Cage. All of them represent the country in the best way abroad. The film "Captain Corelli’s mandolin,” which was filmed in 2000 in Kefalonya affected the island in a very good way. Especially in summer, when they were filming, it was crazy! Since then things started to move along... tourism increased in the fllowing three years. Greeks and foreigners come and say they found out about the beauties of the island from the movie," said Mayor Sammy Manolis Xenakis-Valetas. 

"But we made a mistake – the previous municipality governors did not keep the decors and the costumes from the movie, in order to make a museum. So there is nothing left here to remind us that this great film was shot here," says the mayor advising the citizens of Samos, who are claim the shooting of the film of Pythagoras to be done there: "They have better infrastructure – they have more hotels than us. So they should do their best to take advantage of this. They will have to offer perfect service to the team and they will have to respect each other. And of course, they should not increase prices for tourists, who will come and visit them after the end of the shooting, because this will hit them back as a boomerang."