Pascali’s Island

Set in 1908, during the late Ottoman period, the island acts as a crossroads for Turkish officials, Greek rebels, and foreign expeditions. The crumbling empire amplifies deals, suspicions and shifting loyalties that shape every interaction. This era's political upheaval drives the actions and risks faced by Pascali, Bowles, and Lydia.

Nisi is a remote Greek island in the Aegean Sea that sits under the waning grip of the Ottoman Empire. Its landscape centres on a hotel, hidden coves, a Turkish bath, and a fortress-like Pasha's domain, creating a microcosm where spies, archaeologists and mercenaries converge. The isolation of Nisi heightens tension as foreign interests collide with the local authorities in a fraught frontier.

🗺️ Empire at the Edge

The film places a fragile empire at the center of the action, with Turkish authority, Greek rebels and foreign agents all pursuing leverage. As the Ottoman grip weakens, lines between state power and personal ambition blur. The tension of a crumbling regime frames every deal, warning and betrayal on the island.

💰 Greed and Deception

Deals over land leases, artifacts, and sponsorship reveal how money can bend truth and loyalty. Pascali's informant role and Bowles's supposed discoveries become tools for manipulation as both sides pursue a larger payoff. The pursuit of wealth threatens to override trust and erode friendships.

💔 Love and Betrayal

Pascali is torn between Lydia and Bowles, envying the latter while hoping for their goodwill. The three form a fragile bond that is shattered by deception and danger. The emotional costs are as high as the political stakes, leading to tragic consequences.

🕵️ Information and Silence

Pascali's reports drift unread; he is a man whose life gains meaning from hidden messages that never reach their readers. His double life as interpreter and informant exposes the hollowness of power structures. The revelation of his own betrayal underscores the hollow security of knowledge.