Vanessa Redgrave returns to Greece to present her documentary about the refugee crisis
Sea Sorrow: A screening with special importance at the Athens International Film Festival.
Following the first screening of Sea Sorrow at the Cannes Film Festival last May, as well as the positive response from audiences and critics alike, Vanessa Redgrave returns to Greece, accompanied by Lord Alfred Dubs, for the Athens International Film Festival's single screening of the film.
In an evening full of special meaning, Sea Sorrow will be screened at the Athens Concert Hall on Friday the 22nd September 2017 at 8:00 pm.
Mimi Denisi will introduce the documentary and after the screening there will be an open discussion between the audience and: Vanessa Redgrave, Lord Alfred Dubs (UK Labour Party, supporter of Safe Passage), Mimi Denisi, “Doctors Without Borders” and “Safe Passage”.
All proceeds from ticket sales will aid the humanitarian organisations “Doctors Without Borders” and “Safe Passage”.
On the eve of the screening, Thursday 21st September at 17:30, a press conference will be held by Vanessa Redgrave and Lord Alfred Dubs at the Radisson Blu Park Hotel (10 Alexandras Ave.)
A brief description of “Sea Sorrow”:
In 2015 the photo of Ailan, the little Syrian boy whose body washed up on a Turkish shore, caused a global outcry against the tragic fate of millions of refugees who abandon their war-stricken countries in search of a better future. This inspired Vanessa Redgrave, devoted human rights activist, to write the script for a documentary which chronicles the story of refugees in Europe since the 20th century.
Sea Sorrow is Vanessa Redgrave's directorial debut and is a personal and empowering reflection on today's global refugee crisis through the eyes of children and the voice of activists and artists in France, Britain, Italy and Greece. The acclaimed British actor combines the past and the present as well as documentary with drama in a unique way, in order to highlight the importance of human rights.
The title Sea Sorrow references Shakespeare's The Tempest. Ralph Fiennes recites the play, the words of which “perfectly echo the tragedy of the drowned refugees, escaping from the wars and violent destruction in their countries” Redgrave explains.
Another point of strength for this film is Redgrave recounting moments from her own past: first that of being a child who was relocated away from London at the start of World War II, later her being a volunteer helping Hungarian refugees and finally a visit she paid to a refugee school in Lebanon. In each frame Redgrave weaves the past and present together in order to contemplate matters relating to protection and safety within the context of human rights.
We await you at this important screening!
Information
Screening of Sea Sorrow
Day: Friday 22nd September 2017
Time: 20:00
Location: Athens Concert Hall (Trianti Hall), Vasilissis Sofias & Kokkali, Athens
Ticket prices: €6, €12, €20
Attention! The tickets for this screening will be made available through Viva.gr. Tickets will go on sale on the 13th September at 15:00. They will NOT be on sale at the Athens Concert Hall's ticket office nor on their website.
All proceeds from ticket sales will aid the humanitarian organisations “Doctors Without Borders” and “Safe Passage”.
Press Conference
Day: Friday 21st September 2017
Time: 17:30
Location: Radisson Blu Park Hotel (10 Alexandras Ave.)
Stay tuned for all of the news of the 23rd Athens International Film Festival and for the announcement of the full programme at the press conference which will take place on the 13th September 2017 in the function room of the Friends of Music Society of the Athens Concert Hall.
