Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night (2012)
Between 1947 and 1951, more than 80 000 Greek men, women and children were deported to the isle of Makronissos (Greece) in reeducation camps created to ‘fight the spread of Communism’. Among those exiles were a number of writers and poets, including Yannis Ritsos and Tassos Livaditis. Despite the deprivation and torture, they managed to write poems which describe the struggle for survival in this world of internment. These texts, some of them buried in the camps, were later found. «Like Lions of stone at the gateway of night» blends these poetic writings with the reeducation propaganda speeches constantly piped through the camps’ loudspeakers. Long tracking shots take us on a trance-like journey through the camp ruins, interrupted along the way by segments from photographic archives. A cinematic essay, which revives the memory of forgotten ruins and a battle lost.
Cast
- Jean-Claude Dauphin - Narrator (French voice)
Keywords
civil war, concentration camp, greece, communism, artfilm
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night about?
- Between 1947 and 1951, more than 80 000 Greek men, women and children were deported to the isle of Makronissos (Greece) in reeducation camps created to ‘fight the spread of Communism’. Among those exiles were a number of writers and poets, including Yannis Ritsos and Tassos Livaditis. Despite the deprivation and torture, they managed to write poems which describe the struggle for survival in this world of internment. These texts, some of them buried in the camps, were later found. «Like Lions of stone at the gateway of night» blends these poetic writings with the reeducation propaganda speeches constantly piped through the camps’ loudspeakers. Long tracking shots take us on a trance-like journey through the camp ruins, interrupted along the way by segments from photographic archives. A cinematic essay, which revives the memory of forgotten ruins and a battle lost.
- Who directed Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night?
- Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night was directed by Olivier Zuchuat.
- Who stars in Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night?
- Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night stars Jean-Claude Dauphin.
- How long is Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night?
- Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night has a runtime of 1h 27m (87 minutes).
- What genre is Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night?
- Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night is a Documentary film.
- Where was Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night produced?
- Like Stone Lions in the Gateway into Night was produced in Switzerland, France, Greece.