‘Why the Mountains Are Black’: A TV documentary on music, ritual and memory in Greece

“Thanasis, why are the mountains black?” asks Christopher King, speaking to Pontic lyra virtuoso Thanasis Stilidis. The two men speech a long, astir conspiratorial glimpse earlier Stilidis replies: “The mountains are ever achromatic earlier dawn. Because dawn is near. That’s why the mountains are black. Because aft sorrow comes joy. After decease comes resurrection.”

This poetic, philosophical question recurs successful various forms crossed the six episodes of the eponymous bid – a Cosmote TV co-production – as the American collector and researcher journeys done the Greek scenery – from Macedonia to Crete, and from the Peloponnese to his beloved Epirus. In the occurrence we watched, helium introduces himself arsenic an “ethnomusicologist” and a “taster of tsipouro.”

“The thought came from our team astatine White Room. I had work ‘Lament from Epirus,’ Christopher’s publication connected the people euphony of Epirus, so we approached him with the thought of creating a bid connected determination philharmonic traditions,” says Michalis Aristomenopoulos, shaper and creator manager of the series. “He, however, preferred to absorption connected mirologi, connecting Epirus’ traditions with those of the remainder of Greece. We ultimately settled connected a thematic approach, followed successful each occurrence and reflected successful their titles.”

The archetypal episode, acceptable to premiere connected April 13 connected Cosmote TV under the title “Air,” explores however quality shapes euphony done the improvement of philharmonic instruments – for example, however the humble shepherd’s flute of Epirus gradually transforms into a much versatile instrument, such arsenic the clarinet. In “Words,” viewers travel to Crete to immerse themselves successful the world of mantinada poetry; successful “Plumage,” traditional costumes are explored; and successful “Steps,” the dances that translate determination euphony into question are examined.

“For me, the bid is astir some the literal and metaphorical travel of Christopher King. We began filming successful November 2024 and wrapped successful September 2025, pursuing section festivals, rituals, and customs,” Aristomenopoulos notes.

In the 5th episode, titled “Rituals” – which was besides screened astatine the caller Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival – the team travels to Macedonia to papers the Pontic customized of “Momoeri.” With roots successful pagan and Dionysian traditions, this ritual involves disguises and a (inebriated) procession done the village streets, accompanied, naturally, by music. Initially hesitant, King σύντομα grasps the meaning of the tradition and participates fully. One of the disguised villagers warns him: “There will beryllium chaos present today.”

The ambiance changes successful Pogoni, Epirus, where locals observe the “dolia,” a tradition centered connected forgiveness and reconciliation among villagers. It is besides a infinitesimal to grant those who are absent oregon person died – the euphony mirrors this, with the clarinet’s plaintive outcry echoing the emotions of the crowd. The bid concludes successful Drama, where participants of the “anastenarides” ritual – intimately tied to Christian religion – walk barefoot crossed blistery embers, some playing the lyra arsenic they go. In this case, the protagonist does not situation step onto the coals himself.

Elsewhere successful the series, dramatization is pronounced – the publication besides benefited from Katerina Kafentzi (Kafka) – to the grade that Aristomenopoulos describes the task arsenic docu-fiction.

“Christopher’s property plays a large role. When I archetypal met him, I imagined someone who had won a Grammy, an academic, superior and well-read. Instead, I recovered a larger-than-life quality who loves euphony and classical American literature. He is profoundly influenced by Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo attack and experiences everything with each his senses. The nighttime we met, astatine an Onassis Stegi festival astir 2-3 a.m. aft a fewer drinks, helium challenged us to a bare-handed fight. ‘You will not permission present until humor is shed,’ helium said. It seemed strange astatine first, but I realized that, successful his philosophy, this was a way to forge a bond,” Aristomenopoulos recalls.

The six-episode documentary “Why the Mountains Are Black” will premiere connected April 13 connected Cosmote TV