#Pseudocracy

A short film

Written & directed by Montreal based filmmaker Philippos Balabanos, the film follows Taki Politis (played by Peter James) as he attempts to leave his crisis stricken homeland, in search of work and a safer life in the west. Being no stranger to working and living abroad, Taki is shocked to discover that the once lovable image held by foreigners of the Greeks is no more.

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#Pseudocracy by Philippos Balabanos

The weekend of the 25th of March saw numerous demonstrations across Greece and the Diaspora, marking yet another year of recession. This year however, on the eve of Greece's Independence Day, the Greek America Foundation blew the start whistle for the inaugural Greek Film & Foto Week: 48 Hour film contest. The theme of the competition: Perception of Contemporary Greece. The Surprise element which would have to be incorporated into the film: The Greek Flag.

The productions have since wrapped and nearly 30 films were submitted to the competition. Of those films, eight were chosen as finalists and posted to YouTube, where the voting process has begun for the Social media award. Among the classic staples of any Diaspora based, Greek themed festival we find #Pseudocracy.

Written & directed by Montreal based filmmaker Philippos Balabanos, the film follows Taki Politis (played by Peter James) as he attempts to leave his crisis stricken homeland, in search of work and a safer life in the west. Being no stranger to working and living abroad, Taki is shocked to discover that the once lovable image held by foreigners of the Greeks is no more. Instead this image has been replaced by that of the corrupt lazy liars of the Eurozone, hindering his attempt to re-establish himself. His encounters with the blind hatred of strangers eventually will push him so far the he will reach his breaking point, and it is the lead- up to that breaking point which the film aims to understand.

Although #Pseudocracy was created for the 48hour Film contest, it has since been accepted into the Cannes Short film corner 2012 and is currently in third place for the 48 hour film contest's Social media award. To vote you just have to click on the LIKE button on the Film's YouTube page.

#Pseudocracy's main goal is to shed light on the situation which the Greeks are facing. As the crisis deepens and the belt of Europe tightens around Greece , the human costs will be high. The campaign to demonize the Greek people is nothing but a smoke screen to ensure that the world community does not sympathize with the victims of this financial occupation. And one of the simplest ways for us to make our stand is to make sure that projects like #Pseudocracy, spread to as many people as we can get them to.

Head over to the film's YouTube page and watch it, make sure to vote by hitting the LIKE button and feel free to share the film with your contacts.

To watch the Film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjARQN1w80c&feature=player_detailpage

For more information about the #Pseudocracy, visit the official page on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Pseudocracy or follow @Pseudocracy on Twitter.

Philippos Balabanos
@pbalabanos