March 10-27, 2014
Athens – Naousa – Thessaloniki
The showcase of Contemporary American Documentary, set to take place March 10-27 in Athens, Naousa and Thessaloniki, invites audiences to enjoy an array of award-winning documentaries from recent independent U.S. production. Visiting three Greek cities, the retrospective opens a window to the world of contemporary non-fiction filmmaking and little-known aspects of American culture.
Through the 12 films included in the line-up, we travel to different cities and different lives across the U.S. and beyond: from San Diego, where homeless 15-year-old Inocente, an undocumented immigrant, refuses to abandon her dreams of becoming an artist, all the way to Alaska, where a photographer risks his life to document climate change. We even step back in time, to 1958, where a couple stands up to the unjust laws of 24 American states. He is Caucasian and she is African-American and their marriage is considered illegal, and not just in the South.
Two acclaimed documentary experts, director Chris Kenneally (Side by Side) and producer Andrea Meditch (Man on Wire, Encounters at the End of the World), will visit Greece for the showcase, and will help us explore aspects of documentary production and promotion through a series of discussions and workshops for filmmakers and film lovers alike.
Chris Kenneally’s film “Side by Side” will open the showcase on March 10 at the Greek Film Archive, followed by a discussion with the director himself. The star of the film, Keanu Reeves, takes it upon himself to investigate whatever happened to the magic of celluloid, and which directors have already aligned with the digital revolution and simply refuse to look back. “Side by Side” features movie heavyweights such as George Lucas, James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Lars von Trier and more.
The Showcase will continue in the northern city of Naousa, with a screening of “Side by Side” and discussion with the two film envoys, on March 13. Next stop is Thessaloniki, on March 15, with Andrea Meditch’s latest festival triumph, “Dangerous Acts Starring The
Unstable Elements Of Belarus” (dir. Madeleine Sackler) screening in Greece – and more specifically at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – for the very first time.
Andrea Meditch is the executive producer of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” the Oscar-nominated “Encounters at the End of the World,” as well as “Grizzly Man” by Werner Herzog – just to name a few. Eager to share her expertise on how to push documentaries into the limelight, Meditch will deliver three workshops to a diverse audience – from film lovers to film professionals – revealing secrets of non-fiction greatness, from pre-production all the way to the opening night and beyond.
The showcase of Contemporary American Documentary is organized by the U.S. Embassy in Athens in collaboration with Exile Room, a non-governmental organization dedicated to non-fiction that offers inspiration and education to film lovers and professional filmmakers alike, through screenings, workshops and lectures. It is also organized in partnership with the Greek Film Archive, the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival and the Naousa International Film Festival.
For interview requests, please contact George Vorvolakos, at 210 7202098 and vorvolakosg@state.gov.
SCREENINGS
ATHENS
Monday 10/3 @ Greek Film Archive
Side by Side, 99′ (2012) by Christopher Kenneally @ 20:00
Star Keanu Reeves takes it upon himself to investigate whatever happened to the magic of celluloid and which directors have already aligned with the digital revolution and simply refuse to look back.
Followed by a Q&A with director Christopher Kenneally and producer Andrea Meditch.
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Greek Film Archive, 48 Iera Odos St, Keramikos, tel: 210 3609695, www.tainiothiki.gr
Tuesday 11/3 @ EXILE ROOM
Introduction by Andrea Meditch
Brooklyn Castle, 101′ (2012) by Katie Dellamaggiore @ 19:00
Possibly the only school in the world where the coolest kids in school are the chess team champions!
Chasing Ice, 75′ (2012) by Jeff Orlowski @ 21:00
A National Geographic photographer turns the melting of the ice in the Arctic Circle into a work of art.
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
Wednesday 12/3 @ EXILE ROOM
Introduction by Chris Kenneally
First Position, 95′ (2011) by Bess Kargman @ 19:00
Six tiny dancers are feverishly preparing for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world.
La Source, 71′ (2012) by Patrick Shen @ 21:00
A janitor at Princeton University by day and a taxi driver by night, Josue returns to his village in Haiti to bring bacteria-free water to his fellow villagers.
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
NAOUSA
Thursday 13/3 @ Aristotle School Cultural Center
Discussion with Christopher Kenneally and producer Andrea Meditch @ 18:00-19:00
Two documentary experts discuss with audiences the nature and fun of documentary filmmaking. What is the impact of non-fiction films on our everyday lives and how do you stay true to reality? Introduction by Naousa International Film Festival artistic director Nikos Koutsogiannis.
IN ENGLISH WITH GREEK INTERPRETATION
Side by Side, 99′ (2012) by Christopher Kenneally @ 19.30
Star Keanu Reeves takes it upon himself to investigate whatever happened to the magic of celluloid and which directors have already aligned with the digital revolution and simply refuse to look back.
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Aristotle School Cultural Center, Isvoria, Naousa, tel: 23320 43437, www.sxoliaristotelous.gr
THESSALONIKI
Saturday 15/3 @ THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Dangerous Acts Starring The Unstable Elements Of Belarus, 76′ (2013) by Madeleine Sackler @ 18.15
The members of the controversial Free Theater is Belarus, Europe’s last dictatorship, take the stage night after night, risking censorship, imprisonment and exile — but nothing can stop this acclaimed troupe of imaginative and subversive performers from speaking their minds!
Followed by Q&A with producer Andrea Meditch
Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Olympion Theater, 10 Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki, tel: 2310 378637
Sunday 16/3 @ THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Dangerous Acts Starring The Unstable Elements Of Belarus, 76′ (2013) by Madeleine Sackler @ 20:20
Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Stavros Tornes Theater, Warehouse 1, Thessaloniki Port.
WORKSHOPS
ATHENS
Tuesday 11/3
#1 Christopher Kenneally @ 16:00-18:00
The evolution and revolution of digital filmmaking
Digital technology has changed everything. What has happened since celluloid left the picture, what have we gained and what have we lost? The future is full of exciting developments, yet the past seems more seductive than ever.
Working language: English
Admission: Free
Reservations: exile.room@gmail.com, tel. 210 3223394
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
#2 Andrea Meditch @ 16:00-18:00
One-on-one Pitching Training
Former Discovery Channel commissioning editor, Andrea Meditch, will offer one-on-one pitching training to a limited number of Greek filmmakers hoping to cross national borders.
Working language: English
Admission: Free
Reservations: exile.room@gmail.com, tel. 210 3223394
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
Wednesday 12/3
#1 Christopher Kenneally @ 11:30-13:30
The evolution and revolution of digital filmmaking
Digital technology has changed everything. What has happened since celluloid left the picture, what have we gained and what have we lost? The future is full of exciting developments, yet the past seems more seductive than ever. Introduction by the head of the SAE Athens Digital Filmmaking Department, Lefteris Charitos.
Working language: English
Admission: Free
Reservations not necessary
SAE Athens, 2 Korai St, Moschato, tel: 210 3217661, http://athens.sae.edu
#2 Andrea Meditch @ 16:00-18:00
The Producer Masterclass
Executive producer of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” the Oscar-nominated “Encounters at the End of the World,” as well as “Grizzly Man,” Andrea Meditch reveals her secrets of non-fiction greatness, from pre-production all the way to the opening night and beyond.
Working language: English
Admission: Free
Reservations: exile.room@gmail.com, tel. 210 3223394
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
THESSALONIKI
Friday 14/3
#1 Andrea Meditch @ 12:00-14:00
The A to Z of documentary fimmaking
Executive producer of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” the Oscar-nominated “Encounters at the End of the World,” as well as “Grizzly Man,” Andrea Meditch offers students a practical guide on how to turn an idea into a viable documentary and how to survive the grueling production process.
IN ENGLISH WITH GREEK INTERPRETATION
Admission: Free
Reservations not necessary
AKMH College, 14 Tsimiski Ave, Thessaloniki, tel: 2310 260200, www.iek-akmi.gr/en
#2 Christopher Kenneally @ 12:30-14:30
The evolution and revolution of digital filmmaking
Digital technology has changed everything. What has happened since celluloid left the picture, what have we gained and what have we lost? The future is full of exciting developments, yet the past seems more seductive than ever. Introduction by Despina Mouzaki, Film Production Professor at the Aristotle University’s School of Film Studies.
Working language: English
Admission: Free
Reservations not necessary
Aristotle University, School of Film Studies, Audiovisual Theater, www.film.auth.gr
ADDITIONAL SCREENINGS
Athens
Thursday 20/3 @ EXILE ROOM
Trash Dance, 68′ (2012) by Andrew Garrison @ 19:00
The Loving Story, 77′ (2011) by Nancy Buirski @ 21:00
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394,www.exileroom.gr
Thursday 27/3 @ EXILE ROOM
OBΠΡΟOL
Re: Generation, 75′ (2011) by Amir Bar-Lev @ 19:00
Inocente / Paraiso / Mondays at Racine, 90′ @ 21:00
FREE ENTRANCE – WITH GREEK SUBTITLES
Exile Room, 12 Athinas St, 3rd floor Monastiraki, tel: 210 3223394, www.exileroom.gr
