Desmond Child rocks Olympion!

The 28th TiDF welcomed the legendary American composer and producer Desmond Child on Friday, March 13th, at the packed Olympion theater for the world premiere of the documentary Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon, to strengthen the campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, in the presence of the film’s director Heather Winters and its producer, the well-known composer and lyricist, Phoebus. Present at the screening were world-renowned American musician Kip Winger and beloved Greek actress Mimi Denisi.

The remarkable creator was welcomed by TFF’s Artistic Director, Orestis Andreadakis: “In 2022, the legendary songwriter and producer Desmond Child envisioned a major benefit concert aimed at supporting the international campaign for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. Then, he shared this vision with the documentary’s producer, the well-known composer and lyricist behind major hit songs, his friend and collaborator, Phoebus. The historic concert, which took place at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and featured performances by beloved Greek and international artists, including Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Rita Wilson, Sakis Rouvas, as well as the preparation of the live show was chronicled through the lens of the award-winning film director Heather Winters. Today, at TiDF, we are hosting the world premiere of the documentary Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Heather Winters on stage.”

The director then took the floor, thanking TFF for the invitation and speaking about the significance of the premiere taking place in Thessaloniki. She also highlighted the singular symbolism of the work, which connects Parthenon’s history with Desmond Child’s music. “I sincerely thank you for the support. We are truly excited to be here for the world premiere of our documentary. We couldn’t imagine the premiere taking place anywhere but in Greece and, of course, Thessaloniki. There are many people to whom we owe a big thank you. This evening is not merely a world premiere, it’s also a bridge between two worlds – or better yet, two galaxies: the galaxy of the iconic Parthenon and the galaxy of Desmond Child’s music. You are the first audience in the world to view this film, and we are grateful you are here with us tonight. And now, I’m delighted and honored to present to you the one and only, Desmond Child.”

Immediately afterwards, Desmond Child took the floor: “Thank you so very much. To be honest, I still haven’t watched the entire film. I’ve only seen excerpts as we’ve been working frantically to make the deadline. And somehow, here we are. Thank you for your patience. Everyone kept asking: ‘Where’s the film?’, but we made it at last. So, I’ll also be one of the first to see it finished. I want to thank TiDF, as well as the entire crew who worked for this film.”

This was followed by the screening of the documentary Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon, which captures the atmosphere of a unique concert featuring the greatest hits of Desmond Child’s career, transforming the Odeon of Herodes Atticus into an international music event with a special symbolism: championing the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. The film also includes appearances by remarkable artists from the global music scene, such as Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Rita Wilson, Sakis Rouvas, and The Rasmus. After the screening, a discussion with the audience followed, during which the celebrated composer and producer answered questions regarding the inspiration behind the work, his relationship to Greece, and the film’s message supporting the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

“I think you succeeded in portraying the energy and spirit of what we were trying to do with great sensitivity, and with the utmost respect towards Greece, the Parthenon, and the Sculptures. You really stirred me, thank you,” Desmond Child initially stated. He explained that the objective of both the concert and the film was to portray the singular ambiance of the site, intertwining history and archaeology with the power of rock: “We wished to capture the site, the Sacred Rock, the Parthenon, and history, while simultaneously writing our own story through decades of music.”

When asked whether he is still inspired by Greece and whether Greece has influenced any of the songs he’s written, Desmond Child disclosed that the country has been a major source of inspiration in his creative work, mentioning that he has written two albums in collaboration with The Rasmus - Black Roses and more recently, Weirdo - while staying in Folegandros. “We had a bet going among us, to write a song every day. We didn’t stop until we managed it, and we had to be done by sunset. That was how we spent our days, creating music while simultaneously enjoying the beauty of this place, which is truly a great source of inspiration.”

If someone were to remove a fragment of Stonehenge, how would the British feel? The Parthenon is a unified work of art. - Desmond Child

Desmond Child then referred to one of the most memorable songs featured in the documentary, titled “Beautiful Now,” which was co-written with DJ and music producer Zedd. As he mentioned, the song is presented in the film in a rock arrangement, and within the Acropolis it takes on an entirely different meaning. “In the song, we say ‘Let’s live tonight like fireflies and one by one light up the sky.’ Against such a backdrop, with the lights and the grandeur of the Parthenon surrounding us, you feel the generations of people that have experienced the magic of this place,” he expressed, and then went on to add that Greece has now become an integral part of his life: “This is the 17th time my family and I come to Greece.”

Subsequently, he discussed the film’s future and explained that the film is at the beginning of its international journey. “This might be our first Festival, but we intend to screen the documentary all around the world,” he noted, indicating that he is particularly interested in screening it in the UK. As he mentioned, the film’s aim is to raise awareness about the issue of the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures: “If someone were to remove a fragment of Stonehenge, how would the British feel? The Parthenon is a unified work of art.”

As for the message he’d like to convey to the UK regarding the return of the Sculptures, Desmond Child stressed that their restitution is a matter of historical and cultural justice. “It’s a small world. Boarding a plane and coming to Athens to see them all together is no hardship,” he said. He also emphasized that the Sculptures are part of a single monument: “They embody over 2,000 years of history and have been missing from here for only the last 200. This is just a fleeting moment in time.”

Concluding, Desmond Child shared a personal story that makes him feel deeply connected to the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. When he was a child, his family was forced to sell a relief sculpture depicting his mother due to financial difficulties. Many years later, he managed to locate and purchase it again. “It took me 45 years to find and get it back,” he said, profoundly touched. When he returned it to his mother before she passed away, her reaction left a lasting impression: “She touched it and shed a tear, saying how important it was that it was returned to us.” As he explained, it was at that moment that he realized how much the issue resonates with him. “I realized it’s a reflection of my own story - losing something that means so much and having to wait years for it to come back to you.”