As part of “The Hour of Greece” exhibition, on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 19:30, two award-winning films that focus on compelling stories from the history of Greek Jews during WWII will be presented at Hellenic American College. A discussion with the producers Steven Priovolos and Gregory C. Pappas will follow the screenings. Prior to the event, at 18:00, curator of “The Hour of Greece” exhibition, Louisa Karapidaki, will give a guided tour.

In particular, the following films will be screened with Greek subtitles:

• Eleftheromania (2018, 20’). Directed by: David Antoniuk. Awards: Cyprus International Films Festival (CYIFF) 2018 NOSTIMON IMAR, 2018 Mindfield Film Festival Los Angeles, 2018 Toronto Shorts International Film Festival, 2018 Canada Shorts Film Festival.

The film follows Auschwitz survivor Piroska (Academy Award Winner Olympia Dukakis) as she recites a true story from her harrowing past: in the summer of 1944, the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp saw a massive increase in Hungarian prisoners. The Nazis enlisted a group of Greek Jewish prisoners to the horrific task of leading the prisoners into gas chambers. If the Greek Jewish prisoners refused, they would be killed. After receiving these impossible orders, the prisoners had a debate in their barracks, and ultimately made a stunning choice. Joanna Tsanis wrote the screenplay. The closing credits feature a version of the song “Minore Tis Avgis” that was recorded by Glykeria specifically for this film.

• Life Will Smile (2017, 40’), Directed by: Drey Kleanthous. Award: 2018 Rhode Island International Film Festival.

The documentary film tells the story of the complete survival of Europe's only Jewish community during the Holocaust on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The film is narrated by one of the island’s last remaining survivors, 84-year old Haim Konstantini. Just 10 years old in 1943, Haim tells his story through the veiled innocence of childhood.

The screenings are organized as part of the “The Hour of Greece: Americans respond to October 28th, 1940” exhibition presented at Kennedy and Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas Galleries and are being organized by Hellenic American University/Hellenic American College and the Greek America Foundation in collaboration with the General State Archives of Greece.

Venue: Hellenic American College, 22 Massalias Street, Athens - Theater (2nd floor)

Admission is free of charge.

Image: Films screening