O Pio Makris Dromos

Greece

Synopsis

Jasim and Alsaleh are underage refugees who came from Syria and Iraq and ended up in a Greek prison accused of smuggling illegal immigrants. With unique access in the juvenile prison and court room, the film follows the two friends closely while in custody, during the trial and after the verdict through a narrative of suspense which reveals how youngsters are forced to transport migrants across the border to Greece while the smugglers stay behind and continue their job uninterrupted. If Jasim and Alsaleh are found guilty, they can be convicted to 25 year sentences. Phone conversations between the imprisoned young boys and their parents in their war-stricken countries accentuate the double enclosure that these families experience. No one knows how and when their long run will end.

Director's Biography

Marianna Economou studied Anthropology at UCL and Photojournalism at LCP in London.
Since 1989 she directs documentaries with a focus on social issues (migration, education, disability, urban life, religion, family, environment etc) and human stories. She has directed many independent films and documentary series for Greek television, either as Greek productions or co-productions with European broadcasters such as BBC, ARTE, and YLE.

Filmography

2013 - FOOD FOR LOVE, 52 min, doc
2012 - THRAKOMAKEDONIA 26, 45min, doc
2011 - A SMALL BIG IDEA, 45 min, doc
2010 - ECOLOGICAL DIARIES, 13x 45 min, doc series
2009 - TWELVE NEIGHBORS, 52 min, doc
2008 - BELLS, THREADS & MIRACLES, 52 min, doc
2008 - PLEASE LISTEN TO ME, 52 min, doc
2006 - MY PLACE IN THE DANCE, 52 min, doc
2006 - MATHIMATA – PATHIMATA, 12 x 45 min, doc series
2003 - FAITH IS ROCK, 58 min, doc
2002 - ROCKMUNKIT, 58 min, doc
2001 - THE SCHOOL, 58 min, doc
2001 - THE LANDOWNER’S SON, 58 min, doc, co-directed with Amalia Zepou
1999-2000
GREEK AND PLEASANT LAND, 28 min
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, 28 min
UNIRED STATES OF EUROPE, 28 min,
all part of the documentary series EUtopia (BBC & ARTE)
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Marianna Economou

Written by: Marianna Economou

Produced by: Marianna Economou, Spiros Mavrogenis

Cinematography: Giannis Misouridis, Chronis Pechlivanidis

Editing: Chronis Theocharis

Original Score: Nikos Portokaloglou

Nominations and Awards

  • Documentary Selection 2016