Should the Acropolis be given for filming?

Primarily the content of the scene that wants to turn the George Lanthimos On the Acropolis with the backdrop of the Parthenon and secondary the fact that the first attendance of a common monument in Greece would remain closed for six hours were the two reasons that eventually the members of the Central Archaeological Council, a majority – with only one member being minor – against him.

There were two possible dates that the production company « Bugonia » was asking for shooting: either 10th or April 14th. In any of the two days it was decided that the shooting would be possible, the space should be closed for six hours – from 6am to 12pm.

This was concerned about the members of the KAS, but did not play a catalyst as representatives of the production attendance at the meeting argued that the shooting time could be shrunk in two hours.

The greatest reflection was raised about the content of the scene that envisaged scattered corpses within the Acropolis archaeological site as a result of a disaster and the circulation of three cats among them, as proof of continuing life.

Representatives of the production company allegedly had no alternative proposal for the shooting of this scene with the background of the Parthenon, nor did they accept the proposals of the members of the Supreme Advisory Council, as they may have had no permission from the director to accept another location.

The simple announcement by the production company that arrived at the press agencies yesterday afternoon, stating that « speculation was published in the press about our application for a half -day film permit on the Acropolis. We note that we have not been notified of any official decision on the matter so far and we remain optimistic about a positive outcome of our application, « he initially made an impression that there is a possibility of a different development.

According to the « NEWS », however, all the procedures provided for procedures have been quickly initiated so that the opinion can immediately cleanse, so that it will receive a ministerial signature within the day.

However, until late yesterday afternoon tickets were not available from the website of the Organization for Cultural Resources for the first hours of operation of the Acropolis (8.00-12.00) of April 10, which had withdrawn from the sale immediately after the request was made by the production company.

• KAS also gave the red card to Kostas Tsoklis’ request on Rotonda’s concession for the exhibition of his painting awe – Deus – God 14 × 17 m. As the work was deemed to be overwhelming for the monument and will make the visit of visitors.

Should the Acropolis close for filming?

On the occasion of KAS’s refusal to give permission to shoot scenes of George Lanthimos’ film to the Acropolis, the « NEWS » are opening up the issue of whether the Acropolis should be given for filming filming, especially when it comes to Greeks who excel abroad.

Michalis Tiberios – President of the Academy of Athens, Archaeologist, Member of KAS

No one doubts that George Lanthimos is a great chapter for cinema and our country. That is why during last night’s meeting of KAS, its members have been concerned for a long time discussing the request.

No one, however, can also ignore the timeless messages that the Parthenon emits – which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of which is associated with eternity.

According to the script of George Lanthimos’ new film, the sacred rock would be filled with corpses. This is a scene that, in my view and in the view of most of the KAS members, contradicts the message above. Let me also have an anecdotal comment. According to the script of the film among the bodies, three cats would be released as a sign of life ongoing.

In antiquity, however, it seems that at least dogs were banned on the Acropolis. Once a dog escaped the attention of the authorities and invaded the sacred rock, grabbing a altar of the carcasses of sacrifice, which was hired as an ominous event. Due to the gravity of the director’s name, alternatives were proposed by KAS members. B.C. With the lens … marking the Acropolis and the Parthenon the corpses could be placed somewhere in Philopappou or Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, suggestions that did not seem to have been accepted by the director’s associates.

I respect and appreciate the work of George Lanthimos, but it is not appropriate, in my opinion, to alter the meaning of the top monument.

Elina Psykou – documentaryist

I find it unacceptable to reject the request of George Lanthimos. Without knowing details of the days and hours that the monument should be closed, they would have to find a way to shoot.

I am sure that if the request was from another director who wanted to promote the beauty of our country and the national ideals as they mean by some, they would find the way.

After all, we live at a time when the state does not seem to want to defend contemporary art and culture, on the occasion of what happened a few days ago in the Gallery.

Therefore, I find it consistent with the rejection of Lanthim’s request because everything is political. It is clearly a matter of content and what they want to project out and what not.

When foreign directors come to make films in our country, we consider it our honor. But when he wants to shoot a Greek and even internationally acclaimed, it is probably not our honor.

Vasilis Mazomenos – director

I have a similar story here in Epirus for the shooting of my new film « EXTREMELY Earth ». Without wanting to be level, I must say that archaeologists create many problems in Greek culture.

I find it inconceivable that archaeological sites are not given licenses to directors and producers, since they do not offend anyone and the parameters are observed. In addition to receiving a price now they are also asking for a promotion price. They require 20 euros per second if you have an archaeological site!

The case of George Lanthimos is peculiar because he is a Greek director with foreign production. I don’t know the script with details. In his place I would adapt my script to hours when I would not bother the attendance on the Acropolis.

Pepi Ragousi – Journalist

It is an honor for the country to excel Greeks abroad. And it’s something in which, in relation to our population, we have very good performance. The supreme diva Maria Callas, two Nobel Literature, Seferis and Elytis, a not only an actor but an international personality, Melina, a singer with sales of tens of millions of albums all over the globe, Nana Moussi, Great and basic gynecological examination (test pap), and many others that if I record them all, the text will become a list.

But how not to mention modern « world » Greeks? Giannis and his brothers, Antetokokokoknbros, the great scientist Konstantinos Daskalakis, George Lanthimos. Here we are. Excellent and award -winning director. The fact that in none of his films does the Greek element exist is his absolute right. Obviously, Greekness does not inspire him, although her pathogens may have been imprinted in films without immediate references. Also, after « Canodonta » he has not directed Greek actors – though I have the impression that, wanting his films to make an international career, foreign actors are a better « passport ». So far, all good.

In the « now » is the issue. Lanthimos returns, at this time, « Bugonia ». This is the remake of a 2003 Korean black comedy and the finale scene the producer company asked the Acropolis Ministry of Culture. And Kas refused. Firstly because the monument will remain closed for many hours and secondly because of the content of the scene. Which, according to the scenario, wants the sacred rock sown with corpses and among them to circulate cats. The ministry proposed Philopappou’s hill, but the spirit of the response of production was « or the Acropolis or nothing ».

Sorry, are we with our good? Corpses and cats on the Acropolis? What is the Acropolis? Scene or idyllic landscape? Has those who asked for this reason have understood that we are talking about one of the most important, if not the most important, monuments in the world? That is not just the Trade Mark of Athens, as the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben for London is for Paris? They have not been reported what about the return of the Parthenon sculptures? That this rock symbolizes and signifies something that is on the contrary of a dystopia with carcasses and cats?

I have the impression that some – very few – of these Greeks who excel or have excelled internationally treat the country somewhat as a colony of their talent. That Greece owes them because of their worldwide recognition. And they are treated like spoiled children. (I remember years ago one of them had asked to be given a piece of the rock to build his house there and, when he was denied, became furious). I want to believe that George Lanthimos would just be abstract when he thought of sowing the Acropolis with corpses and cats.

And because the controversies have already begun for whether or not the monument had to be given to Lanthimos, to see the obvious again. First, no one is more famous than the brand « Greece » with the Acropolis brand.

It reaches a gallop to foreign visitors to the monument. I imagine everyone knows what this is about what came from the other side of the world to see it closely. I doubt if at least half of them know the very good director Lanthim.

And secondly, because there are many who claim that with denial we miss a great opportunity to advertise our country, Greece and especially the Acropolis do not need advertising. It has been, for centuries, recorded in the global collective unconscious.