On August 29, 1931, in Nea Ionia, Athens, Greece, Stelios Kazantzidis was born—a voice that would forever transform Greek music.
Kazantzidis, often described as “the greatest voice Greece has ever produced,” came to embody the hopes, struggles, and passions of an entire people. Today, on what would have been his birthday, his story once again takes center stage—not only in memory but also on the global screen.
Following a historic box-office run, the acclaimed biographical drama Stelios will make its worldwide digital debut on September 5, 2025, streaming on major platforms and bringing the extraordinary life of this legendary singer to audiences everywhere.
From stage to screen: The film phenomenon
The film Stelios, produced by Tanweer Productions and directed by Yorgos Tsemberopoulos, captures this remarkable journey. Starring Christos Mastoras in a transformative performance, the drama traces Kazantzidis’ rise from humble beginnings to his status as the voice of generations. It is a story of resilience, authenticity, and the power of music to unite people across borders.
Following a historic box-office run, Stelios has already made history: over 930,000 tickets were sold in Greece and Cyprus, ranking it as the fourth highest-grossing film of all time in those markets. The movie also played to sold-out audiences in the United States and Canada and achieved record-breaking success across Germany, the UK, Australia, Turkey, and Israel, among other regions.
This global embrace demonstrates what Greeks have long known—Kazantzidis was not merely a singer but a cultural force, and his story speaks to universal themes of struggle, identity, and belonging.
A global debut for a timeless voice
Now, for the first time, viewers around the world can access this moving tribute digitally. Stelios will be available for pre-order on Apple TV in over 60 countries, with its official release scheduled for September 5, 2025, on Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime. The timing could not be more symbolic.
As fans commemorate Kazantzidis’ birthday, they are invited to rediscover his legacy through cinema. The release of Stelios ensures that his music and his story will continue to inspire not only those who lived through his era but also new generations discovering his voice for the first time.
Stelios Kazantzidis: The man who became a myth
🎵 ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ ΚΑΖΑΝΤΖΙΔΗΣ
(29/8/1931 – 14/9/2001)Ο Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης Γεννήθηκε στην Νέα Ιωνία.
Το 1944, ο πατέρας του, που υπηρέτησε την Εθνική Αντίσταση από τις τάξεις του ΕΑΜ-ΕΛΛΑΣ, ξυλοκοπείται άγρια από ταγματασφαλίτες, με συνέπεια να φύγει από τη ζωή στις αρχές του 1945. pic.twitter.com/a5m7UdTJk8— ΑΡΙΩΝ (@ArionGRmusic) August 28, 2022
Kazantzidis’ life was one of hardship and triumph. Born to refugee parents, he grew up in poverty and began working from a young age. But his powerful voice could not be silenced.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, he rose to fame as the undisputed star of Greek popular music. His songs gave voice to the worker, the migrant, the dispossessed—those living on the margins of prosperity, yet rich in emotion and resilience.
The period between 1960 and 1965 is often considered his most prosperous, as he recorded masterpieces that defined generations. Later albums, such as My Whole Life (Η Ζωή Μου Όλη, 1974) with music by Akis Panou and I Exist (Υπάρχω, 1975), cemented his place as a cultural icon.
The song “I Exist” (“Υπάρχω”) became a hymn for everyday Greeks, while “My Whole Life” (“Η Ζωή Μου Όλη”) remained Kazantzidis’ personal favorite. Throughout his career, he collaborated with the greatest composers and lyricists of his time—Manolis Chiotis, Giorgos Zambetas, and others—bringing their words to life with unparalleled depth.
His artistry bridged tradition and modernity, embodying both the pain of exile and the joy of belonging. Even after his passing in 2001, his voice continues to resonate in the collective memory of the Greek people and beyond.
Stelios Kazantzidis’ enduring legacy
Stelios Kazantzidis was more than a singer—he was the conscience of a nation in song. His voice carried the struggles of migrants, the pain of exile, and the dignity of working-class life. Two decades after his passing, and nearly a century after his birth, his impact remains undiminished.
With the worldwide debut of Stelios, his journey comes full circle: from a boy born in Nea Ionia to an artist who conquered hearts across the globe, and now to a cinematic retelling that immortalizes his legacy for the world to see.
