2755 miles
Film, 17 min
(2009)
“I never thought of it being just a documentary, the filming started unexpectedly inside my car. We were going to the centre
of Athens to covertly receive a newly arrived member who reached the country successfully, in exchange for 8.000€”
The film is based on forms of experimental documentary practice. Its title, 2755 Miles, reflects the distance
between Pakistan and Greece that illegal migrants have to cover through their movement from the East to the West.
The opening and closing scenes of the film take place inside a car and present footage of the journey that Pakistani
men and myself made to the centre of Athens to covertly receive a newly arrived immigrant; the film ends with our
successful return. The narrative of the film is located on the outskirts of Athens where Pakistani migrant men live within
a horse-riding club next to the city’s airport. The project attempts to question notions of travel, movement and distance.
Awarded with: Best Video Art, London Greek Film Festival (2009), Honorary Distinction For New Directors-IEK Δομή,
Docfest 3 Greek Documentary Festival of Xalkida (2009), Best Documentary Award, 4th Crasfest Film Festival (2009).
Festival Screenings 2011: The Rencontres Internationales Cine Festival Centre Pompidou (Paris),
Reina Sofia National Museum (Madrid), Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin).
click to watch trailer or click here to watch the film (no sub)
Interview by Giorgo Liape -Cinejunky (in Greek)
