Closing Screening
Waves of the Aegean
Antonios Rellas │ Greece │ 2005 │ 59 mins
Synopsis: A battle with the waves of the Aegean. Against the social calm of the mainland. The preparation of five Greek athletes with disabilities, and their two able-bodied trainers for the Paralympics in Athens. The Aegeathlon, the marathon swimming-relay across the Aegean (from Sounion to Milos) took place a year before the start of the Athens Paralympics. The difficulties of the undertaking appeared insurmountable.
With this film the racist myth that would have people with disabilities miserable by definition is vitiated. It is dedicated to those who have the strength to share and to celebrate. To those who seek a perennial swim in conditions of supreme visibility. Potentially for everyone…
Is there some decisive deficiencyin the other’s identity?
Only if we train our eyes on it.
Only if our eyes are committed
to spotting the other’s deficiency.
Only if our eyes are themselves deficient.
Bio: Antonios Rellas studied at the Lykourghos Stavrakos Film and Television School. He has worked in television as director, editor and reporter. He has made music videos, commercials, has directed for the stage and has created digital visuals for performances. From 1990 to the present, as an independent director, he has made the short film The nail and the documentaries I’m alive, Waves of the Aegean and Beautiful Thera. With his participation in international festivals he has won awards and represented Greece worldwide. Finally he is an activist and organizes actions that concern the violation of the rights of people with disabilities.
Before the screening, Antonios Rellas will receive an honorary award by the Greek Film Center.