an immersive and intimate portrait of a man who will some day be regarded as one of history’s most influential artists
THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME
featuring George Kordis
“Everything in a picture is energy…
…line, color, movement, and so on. In Byzantine art, these energies are reconciled and exist in a ‘perfect’ way, that is, in a state of dynamic balance. Through rhythm, images become manifestations of a state of love and create a peaceful space-time here on earth.”
-George Kordis
THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME is an immersive exploration of the daily life and creative process of master artist, George Kordis.
Using observational footage captured with Kordis around the world, THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME is a meditation centered on his vision of a world where conflict and hatred are replaced by love and peace. The film explores the interplay between Kordis’ religious and secular work, including a massive sanctuary commission in Budapest and his recently completed masterpiece, The Uprooted, an unflinching portrayal of refugees caught between “the pains of earth and the promises of God.”
Working in sacred spaces and exhibiting in secular galleries to global audiences, Kordis is expanding the boundaries of an ancient tradition with his creative genius. THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME surfaces the essence of a person who will one day be regarded as one of history’s most influential artists.
THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME will bring George’s poetic and groundbreaking work to theaters and screens around the world. As a cinematic, beautiful and poetic documentary, THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME will have the potential to be licensed by major online streamers, academic institutions for educational purposes, and cultural organizations that want to promote George’s unique embrace of tradition and creativity.
In the same way that George’s artwork bridges the sacred and the secular, THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME will connect with a broad range of diverse audiences, regardless of whether they are longtime admirers of George’s work or engaging with him and his art for the first time. The film will serve as a testament to the legacy and impact of his work for decades to come.
Production Team
JOHN HARRISON: Director, Cinematographer
Director John Harrison has been creating human-centered documentary projects for more than 15 years. He has experience in a variety of production roles, including directing, editing and cinematography, and has produced projects on multiple continents and in partnership with members of diverse communities and cultures. A recent short documentary he co-directed and produced in the Philippines won the SIMA Impact Jury Prize and recognition from the United Nations. As Director of Photography, John shot an Oscar-nominated short film about human trafficking in rural India. Last year, John met the subject of THE HEART IS OUR ONLY HOME, George Kordis, in Budapest while co-directing a series of short documentaries about religious thinkers from different religious traditions around the world. John felt a strong connection to George, both as a friend and an artist, and was inspired to produce a feature documentary bringing his life and work to audiences around the world.
John has successfully produced, directed and shot film projects on four continents and received over $1 million in grant funding to produce documentary content. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Film Production Program and lives in Spokane, Washington (USA), with his wife and three children.
KERI WIEDERSPAHN: Producer
Keri is the Director and co-Founder of Writing the Light, an international art school she established alongside master artist and iconographer George Kordis. Centered on the living tradition of the Byzantine visual system, the school offers a unique space for artists to explore the depth and relevance of iconography in a contemporary context.
Keri co-developed the school’s Certificate Program in Iconography in partnership with the Institute of Sacred Arts at St. Vladimir’s Seminary—one of the first structured programs of its kind in North America. In addition to leading the school, she curates and promotes Kordis’s work through exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. What began with bringing Kordis to the U.S. in 2017 to teach Byzantine Drawing has since grown into a deeply personal and enduring mission to share his vision with the world.
