The film “A Journey to the Stars” covers the story of the rise of Panathinaikos BC OPAP from its 1919 birth to its rise as one of Europe’s great basketball clubs will be streamed on viva.gr next week before it’s general cinema release in September.

Christos Dimas, who wrote the script and directed it, told a press conference on Wednesday that the film had taken three years to complete and had posed a variety of challenges.

“It (the film) does narrate the 100 years since the team’s establishment, we had to go though the story to find a way to include an emotional imprint in order to have the audience understand what makes the team great.

“We also wanted to show what characterises Panathinaikos, and the (Giannakopoulos) family as well,” said Mr Dimas. The Giannokopoulos family took over the team in 1987 and led it to six European championships in the process.

I want to make an important note, by making it known, that Dimitris Giannakopoulos not only stayed away from the “control” of the artistic path of this film. … When he (Giannakopoulos) saw the movie, I will say one thing … there was emotion. For a director who has been on a film for more than three years, seeing the person who the story is about, being moved, is perhaps better than any pay cheque,” said Mr Dimas.

READ MORE: Panathinaikos loyal fans will love this new film

Actor Giorgos Gallos plays Željko Obradovic, Panathinaiko’s Serbian coach from 1999 to 2012 when he led the team to 11 Greek League championships, seven Greek Cups and five Euroleague titles.

“I tried to show the best Obradovic. His role is about 40 minutes in the film. It will be one of the biggest tests when he sees the movie. There is a ‘coaching’ thought process behind his appearance,” said Mr Gallos of his role.

The president of Panathinaikos BC said: “The film shows how the foundations and values ​​of the group came into being, and generally, how the family started. It is not based so much on the competitive part, as on that of morality and love.”

♦ The film “A Journey to the Stars” will be streamed on viva.gr at the cost of €13 (about $20.50 AUD). Please keep in mind the viewing times quoted on the website are Athens times: 28 June 6 pm and 10pm (Australia Eastern Standard Time is 29 June 1am and 5am); 29 June 12 noon and 9pm (AEST 29 June 7pm and 30 June 4am).