What does it mean to help a stranger? The documentary Border Souls explores that question through the people who offered food and support to refugees in northern Greece.
Directed by Takis Bardakos with support from the Greek America Foundation and Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the 50-minute long documentary is in Greek with English subtitles.
The film tells the story of humanity and light during one of the darkest times in recent Greek history, when tens of thousands of refugees passed through small towns and villages, fleeing war back home for the safety of Europe.
Not all were welcoming but many Greeks, including the Greek Orthodox Elder Christodoulos and dozens of his faithful supporters, shared their generosity and solidarity with the refugees, illuminating the capacity of a crisis-ridden society to change the world.
At the monastery of Panagia-Fovera Prostasia (Virgin Mary of Great Protection) in the village of Megali Panagia near Thessaloniki, Christodoulos and his team prepared thousands of meals and other supplies to bring to the refugee camp in Idomeni.
“If a man is drowning in the river,” Christodoulos asks hypothetically, “Do we ask what religion he is first, before helping him? This is against the natural order of humanity, as well as Christianity.”
“Border Souls” was awarded Best Documentary at the Around International Film Festival in Paris, France (July 2017) as well as Best Photography Award and Special Jury Award at the 11th Greek Documentary Film Festival in Chalkida, Greece (November 2017).
The film has screened at various film festivals worldwide including the New York City Greek Film Festival, Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Barcelona Planet Film Festival, Roma Cinema DOC and Around International Film Festival, among others.
Watch the trailer
GAF and the film
The Foundation supported the documentary and brought its message to Greek American audiences. Its November 2019 announcement promoted two December 10 screenings at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, with proceeds designated for GAF’s charitable work in Greece.
Connect with the Foundation’s cultural and philanthropic work.