[yasr_overall_rating]
An epic tale, spanning decades and continents, about Ioannis Varvakis, an Enlightenment-era rapscallion, who sided with the Russians in their 1768 war with the Turks, befriended Catherine the Great, built a fortune out of sturgeon eggs and then gave it all away to help his motherland fight the Ottoman empire.
“The Pirate” is based on the larger than life true story of the swashbuckling pirate, Ioannis Varvakis (Sebastian Koch). I know very little about Greek history and this film propelled through much of the turmoil that was happening during the late eighteenth century. It was fascinating to learn about this hero that I had not heard of previously. The story unfolds with the bright-eyed, Ivan (Evgeniy Stychkin), watching as Varvakis is delivered to his final destination, a solitary island for those with infectious disease. Ivan begins telling a group of interested children about the infamous Varvakis and from that point I was hooked. It is intermediately told by Ivan and the mysterious Lefentarious (Juan Diego Botto), flashing back to the humble beginnings of an illiterate pirate that became very dangerous because he dared to dream.
The film highlights the beautiful cinematography of the area and has a top-notch cast. This is not a pirate movie for those expecting a character like Jack Sparrow. This film is Varvakis searching for happiness and love with the “adventure” side downplayed. There is certainly no lack of pirate escapades but it seems to me that the quest here is for Varvakis to find meaning in his life. He leaves his first wife and infant daughter to romance with his true love, that of the sea. The character development was strong and I really liked this pirate who befriended whores, freed slaves, and was a patriot for his country.
The sea lets him down at times, but the sea also brings him great gifts. The most affluent gift bestowed upon Varvakis was that of caviar and how to preserve it which allowed him to amass a fortune. This, unfortunately, does not bring him the joy we would expect. He embraces the return of his embittered daughter, a faithless wife, and the death of his son. So does he find happiness? Does he find love? In the end, this life he lived, allows him to give back to his country, the country he fights for with passion. I believe that secured his happiness.
Available now on VOD
