Overview
A poignant exploration of a family's struggle amidst the chaos of war and displacement.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- poignant
- melancholic
- harrowing
- historical film night
- greek cinema showcase
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a poignant and compassionate account of loss, belonging, and historical catastrophe, though its interpretation of events remains contested.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Baltatzis family’s experiences connect the destruction of Smyrna with the long-term memory of exile and belonging.
The family narrative unfolds amid the occupation, massacre, and persecution of Greek and Armenian residents.
Historical incidents are recounted through the lives of multiple members of the Baltatzis family.
Smyrna functions as both a lived city and an emotionally charged lost home for the characters.
Films like Smyrna, and why
The Last Days
historical drama centered on mass displacement, ethnic persecution, and the emotional aftermath of communal violence
The Pianist
period historical drama portraying civilian suffering, compassion, and contested memory during national catastrophe
The Promise
sweeping historical drama about cultural belonging, forced migration, and the loss of a homeland
Movie Details
- Director
- Grigoris Karantinakis
- Release Date
- 2021-12-23
- Runtime
- 138 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (16)
Cast
- Mimi Denissi
- Leonidas Kakouris
- Burak Hakkı
- Krateros Katsoulis
- Tamila Koulieva
- Jane Lapotaire
- Susan Hampshire
- Rupert Graves
- Katerina Geronikolou
- Dina Mihailidou
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Smyrna about?
- A sweeping Greek historical drama that turns the destruction of Smyrna into an intimate story of family, persecution, exile, and enduring belonging.
- What is Smyrna like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Smyrna as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Smyrna violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Smyrna as graphic.
- What did critics think of Smyrna?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a poignant and compassionate account of loss, belonging, and historical catastrophe, though its interpretation of events remains contested.
- Which films are like Smyrna?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Days, The Pianist, and The Promise.
- How long is Smyrna?
- Smyrna runs 138 minutes.
- Where can I watch Smyrna?
- In United States, Smyrna is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store.
