“In this world there are humans, gods and people like me”
“In this world there are humans, gods and people like me”
Synopsis
Life on the small remote Greek island of Gavdos seems to be tough. Nevertheless, it attracts people from all over the world who see this free place without rules as the ‘last paradise’.Dropouts live on the beach. Inland, the small island population live a life between traditional everyday life and tourism income opportunities. And high up on the mountain, a group of former Russian nuclear physicists, founding a philosophical school and viewing humanity from their Olympian vantage point. Even if the island society is small, the dynamics are the same as in the big world.
Globalisation, capitalism, corona and war, is mirrored on the island. The island population is getting in conflict. The dancer Pavlina wants to counter this and unite the island’s population.
Focusing on the case of this remote island – this film investigates over 10 years the rules of modern society, its values and the roots of the problems, tearing apart with two major forces – the desire of being united and the need of keeps its own individuality.
Synopsis
Life on the small remote Greek island of Gavdos seems to be tough. Nevertheless, it attracts people from all over the world who see this free place without rules as the ‘last paradise’.Dropouts live on the beach. Inland, the small island population live a life between traditional everyday life and tourism income opportunities. And high up on the mountain, a group of former Russian nuclear physicists, founding a philosophical school and viewing humanity from their Olympian vantage point. Even if the island society is small, the dynamics are the same as in the big world.
Globalisation, capitalism, corona and war, is mirrored on the island. The island population is getting in conflict. The dancer Pavlina wants to counter this and unite the island’s population.
Focusing on the case of this remote island – this film investigates over 10 years the rules of modern society, its values and the roots of the problems, tearing apart with two major forces – the desire of being united and the need of keeps its own individuality.
Director’s Motivation
2008 at the age of 27, I decided to undergo an experiment – go live in another country,, and observe the events that this choice would bring with it.
I chose Crete – this island shrouded in myths and legends.
I wanted to return to its “Twilight” – ancient Greece, the cradle of European civilization, language of science and philosophy. Especially since this island appeared to me to be the exact opposite of the megalopolis in which I had spent my life. I wanted to be in nature and the sea; I dreamed of the Odyssey.
But I realize on the island, that it is not a paradise at all, that there are conflicts within everyone. The society formed by escapists faces the same challenges as a western society. Everyone has his best intentions for the better future, but all the efforts stuck with an unsuccessful attempt to understand and to be understood by each other. Against this backdrop, the film explores why this mysterious and windstruck utopia is described by many as a mirror of our existence.
My ultimate goal was to create a sense of realness and truth, but also at the same time, to create a feeling and an experience that encourages us to reflect upon our lives and goals.
Director’s Motivation
2008 at the age of 27, I decided to undergo an experiment – go live in another country,, and observe the events that this choice would bring with it.
I chose Crete – this island shrouded in myths and legends.
I wanted to return to its “Twilight” – ancient Greece, the cradle of European civilization, language of science and philosophy. Especially since this island appeared to me to be the exact opposite of the megalopolis in which I had spent my life. I wanted to be in nature and the sea; I dreamed of the Odyssey.
But I realize on the island, that it is not a paradise at all, that there are conflicts within everyone. The society formed by escapists faces the same challenges as a western society. Everyone has his best intentions for the better future, but all the efforts stuck with an unsuccessful attempt to understand and to be understood by each other. Against this backdrop, the film explores why this mysterious and windstruck utopia is described by many as a mirror of our existence.
My ultimate goal was to create a sense of realness and truth, but also at the same time, to create a feeling and an experience that encourages us to reflect upon our lives and goals.
Svetlana Strelnikova
Svetlana Strelnikova is a Moscow-based award-winning documentary filmmaker interested in the intersection of idealism and real life. After graduating from the Moscow State University, she entered the National Film School. She worked as a Line producer and Fixer with foreign crews filming in Russia, and she attended a number of workshops, such as DokIncubator and Eurodoc 2016.
Her first feature film won a NYFA scholarship. Her director’s filmography includes feature-length documentaries, which received awards at festivals: DocuDays (UA), Watch Dogs (PL), Chronograph (ML), Message to Man (RU), Kinoshok (RU).
Her film, Cardiopolitika, was nominated for a Nika award – the main annual national film award presented by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Science in 2016.
Her latest film Legend of Sigfried, released in 2020, was screened at numerous European film festivals.
Svetlana Strelnikova
Svetlana Strelnikova is a Moscow-based award-winning documentary filmmaker interested in the intersection of idealism and real life. After graduating from the Moscow State University, she entered the National Film School. She worked as a Line producer and Fixer with foreign crews filming in Russia, and she attended a number of workshops, such as DokIncubator and Eurodoc 2016.
Her first feature film won a NYFA scholarship. Her director’s filmography includes feature-length documentaries, which received awards at festivals: DocuDays (UA), Watch Dogs (PL), Chronograph (ML), Message to Man (RU), Kinoshok (RU).
Her film, Cardiopolitika, was nominated for a Nika award – the main annual national film award presented by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Science in 2016.
Her latest film Legend of Sigfried, released in 2020, was screened at numerous European film festivals.
Fact Sheet
Genre:
Creative Documentary
Length:
80 Min.
Written and Directed by
Svetlana Strelnikowa
DoP:
Irina Shatalova
Producer:
Rea Apostolides (“Anemon Film”, Athens)
Frank Müller (“Doppelplusultra”, Hamburg)
Catherine Siméon
Cedric Bonin (Seppia, Straßbourg)
Country of Production:
Greece, Germany, France
Shooting Location:
Greece
Language:
Greek, English, Russian
Production Stage:
Production
Total Budget:
€ 344.000
Supported by
Greek Film Center
MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg
ERT (Greek TV)
CNC
Media – Creative Development
Release:
March 2025
Fact Sheet
Genre:
Creative Documentary
Length:
80 Min.
Written and Directed by
Svetlana Strelnikowa
DoP:
Irina Shatalova
Producer:
Rea Apostolides (“Anemon Film”, Athens)
Frank Müller (“Doppelplusultra”, Hamburg)
Catherine Siméon
Cedric Bonin (Seppia, Straßbourg)
Country of Production:
Greece, Germany, France
Shooting Location:
Greece
Language:
Greek, English, Russian
Production Stage:
Production
Total Budget:
€ 344.000
Supported by
Greek Film Center
MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg
ERT (Greek TV)
CNC
Media – Creative Development
Release:
March 2025
Festivals
March 2025 Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival Worldpremier
Festivals
March 2025 Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival Worldpremier
