Kristen Lappas arrived in Milwaukee in November, afraid.

She went to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s house to show him the final cut of the documentary, “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey,” which she had just finished directing.

“It’s terrifying because you put your whole being into these projects for two years, and all you can do is hope and pray that the family finds you to have done the story justice and done it correctly,” Lappas said. It was the entire family, followed by my boss and me, and in typical Antetokounmpo style, watching them experience their family’s trip was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and profession.

Interviews about the Antetokounmpo family’s trip to Greece, their life as undocumented immigrants, getting drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, and winning a championship were conducted by Lappas with all members of the Antetokounmpo family, including his mother Veronica and fiancée Mariah Riddlesprigger…

They are such a warm and unique family. Very distinct from other athletes I’ve worked with, stated Lappas.

In addition, Antetokounmpo’s teammates Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and numerous others who have influenced his life are included in the movie.

The movie was produced by Improbable Media, which Giannis Antetokounmpo and ESPN basketball analyst Jay Williams co-founded. It will be available on Prime Video on February 19.

This is a lengthy conversation with Lappas that has been edited.

What were some of the most unexpected aspects of this story for you?

It’s challenging since, in my opinion, the main details of his tale are well documented. Although his narrative has been shared before, it has never been from his words or his family’s perspective. I therefore had high hopes that they would say something that would surprise me, and this was fulfilled a thousandfold.

He is a very profound, contemplative, and intellectual individual. He also astonished me by sharing how much thought he has given to the death of his father, something I don’t think he has discussed much at all.

That was something going in; I had no idea how much time we would be spending on it or how his father’s passing would factor into the movie. However, after speaking with the family, he realized that it was a turning point that had an impact on him as a player and a man. I found it interesting that he went there right after his father passed away.

“How would you describe yourself?” is the inquiry you pose to him. Additionally, he employs the phrase “extreme,” and although the adage “you don’t work, you don’t eat” is merely spoken by others, it describes how he and his family lived.

Although I was familiar with the general outline of his narrative, I gained a great deal of knowledge from our real sit-down, which I believe has never happened before. I am aware that neither his fiancée nor his mother have had a lengthy on-camera interview…

During a scene in the movie, Giannis sobs and talks about a game he and Thanasis made up for their younger siblings to play while they rushed home to avoid being attacked by anti-immigrant Greeks. That particular incident really got to me because it still affects him. How did you interpret that section of his narrative?

Being Greek, I was aware of the Golden Dawn and the anti-immigrant organizations in Greece, and I was eager to learn more. The fact that we were able to discuss his complex relationship with Greece before we started was incredibly significant to me.

To be honest, I had no idea if they were going to go there. There are numerous reasons why they haven’t done so previously. Every summer, they continue to return to Greece. Their homes are in Milwaukee and Athens. Therefore, I don’t think they want to annoy the locals.

I started by interviewing his younger brother, Alex. Regarding their experiences as immigrants in Greece, Alex was frank and open. It was him who initially related the story to me, the game his elder brothers invented to keep him and Kostas safe.

We actually viewed the video of Alex breaking down the rules of the game to Giannis, and that’s how I was able to get him to talk to me about it. It seems like when he saw his brother there, he felt compelled to speak the truth about what really happened.

His response completely surprised me, but I also understood that there were sentiments about their upbringing that were hidden and had never been spoken before. It was a very touching occasion. He was crying, and I was crying too.

My knowledge regarding Giannis and Mariah’s connection and their meeting was limited. Regarding those two, what did you observe?

She is the family’s pillar of support. She amazes me so much. Every step of the way, she has supported him. She shares the heartbreaking tale of having to pick Giannis up from the practice facility after informing him that his father had gone away.

He said in the film that he was with his whole family the first time she hung out with him. It was, he said, love at first sight. That first weekend, she came and spent time with his father, brothers, and mom.

Their respect and love for each other have grown since then. He got pretty upset throughout the interview when talking about her, so I wish we had talked more about it. How unselfish she is in all she does for him, his kids, and his mother. She’s the one who keeps things genuine with him and, in my opinion, is the unsung hero that pulls everything together.

Witnessing their relationship was both entertaining and fascinating. Nobody corrects him or challenges him. She is the only person bringing him back to earth when he reaches that level of celebrity, where everyone around you looks up to you. She is incredibly supportive and yet plays a significant part in his life.

What insights did you gain from Giannis’ mother on her role in the present and future of the family?

She is his idol, as he stated in his MVP speech. He admires her, especially in light of the death of his father. She is the family’s matriarch. In our interview, she didn’t have to say much for me to understand the hurt she went through as a young mother in Greece and the pride she now has for her family.

She has experienced a great deal and is quite wise. I believe Giannis genuinely admires her. She is the one who keeps him rooted and helps him recall his origins. Nothing is taken for granted by him. His mom is the reason he doesn’t spend a lot of money or be ostentatious. The fact that he witnessed the hardships mom endured on their behalf keeps him in check.

Aside from being the franchise that signed his brother and selected him, how would you characterize Milwaukee’s involvement in their tale? Milwaukee seemed to be more than just the place he worked.

It serves as their residence. They genuinely believe that this is their home. “I’m going to have a home in Milwaukee no matter where I end up in my career or where I retire,” he told me. It is the location where he was welcomed. He is a really devoted individual. He remembers those who came to his aid when he had no one.

It was quite clear to me when I first started writing this and conducting my research that Milwaukee was as much of a character in this story as anyone else. And I really enjoyed learning more about the strange romance between Giannis and Milwaukee.

The charming anecdotes of their initial practice sessions at the seminary (Cousins Center) and his dash to the game to be picked up by a fan—all of those small aspects contributed to the essence of their relationship and the reason it works so well. I hope it helps anyone who aren’t from Milwaukee understand it.

I cherished Milwaukee’s quirks and little tales, and I found it fascinating how, for someone from nothing, it all came together so well.

This narrative, titled “Giannis: The Marvelous Journey,” tells the tale of a whole family’s immigration. They both traveled from Africa to Greece, attempted to live as outsiders there, and then returned to being outsiders when they traveled to America. Where do you believe this movie stands in relation to the immigration and migration debate that is now taking place in this country?

I’m hoping it conveys the message. I wish more people realized that this is the best immigration narrative. This is the result of welcoming a family of immigrants that have a lot to give; just take a look at what he’s accomplished. Who knows who could be Giannis Antetokounmpo’s replacement?

It holds great significance for him and his family. He is very passionate about helping immigrant children in Milwaukee, Athens, and Nigeria through the organization he founded in memory of his father. The greatest way to put it was when he remarked, “If my brothers and I aren’t going to help immigrant children in Greece now, then who will?”

“Immigrants are not criminals, and they are not after your jobs,” asserts Mariah. Like you, they want to live a better life. She simply puts it so well. And it is unquestionably true. This is an immigrant narrative about a strange Milwaukee neighborhood that truly welcomed this family. And now see what it developed into — what a lovely tale that is?