Crete is the southern most island in the Mediterranean Sea, situated between Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. 600,000 people live on this largest of the Greek isles. Roughly 180 miles separate the west from the east coast. The north coast is dominatd by tourism. But off the beaten track there is still plenty of opportunity to discover the heart of Crete. For example, the monks at the island’s largest monastery, Agia Triada, live from organic farming and so during harvest season, it is not unusual to see the abbot driving the tractor. Their products are sold all over Europe, as well as in the small monastery shop. To discover the essence of Crete, one must visit Mt. Psiloritis. Here, where package deal tourists rarely tread, old traditions live on. At weddings joy shootings are common. They are supposed to prove that the people of Crete are always vigilant. But they are also disputed, because on occasion they cause severe tragedies. “Up here on the mountain one’s word of honor is still valid,“ says Anoiga’s priest, whose other job is publishing the Anoiga newspaper. He is also president of the Anoiga soccer club. And he is a weapons fan, too, as is everybody else here. In the neighboring village policemen were recently gunned down when they tried to halt drug and weapons trafficking. On this journey across the island of Crete - beyond the popular tourist centers - we also meet a fisherman, a bootmaker, and people, who are trying to stop the depopulation of the villages.

The film is one of a five part mini-series about Mediterranean islands. The other islands, portrayed are Corsica, Mallorca, Sardinia and Cypress.

Here you will find the projects from the film:

www.enagron.gr

www.milia.gr

www.agiatriada-chania.gr

www.hotelportoloutro.com