The Way to the West
Directed by Kyriakos Katzourakis
February 2003
The Way to the West is a documentary with dramatized segments. A woman from the former Soviet Union, Irina (Katia Gerou) comes to Greece in search of a better life and falls victim to the sex slave trade (trafficking). She wanders around Athens in search of a friend of hers who has disappeared. Her story unfolds through a series of personal confessions. During these moments of reality, Irina is in some way present as a sort of “suffering angel” who comments on the aftermath, indirectly linking the present to the past, the real to the imaginary. The presence of painting in the film stresses or illustrates the dreams and nightmares that this intense slice of present-day reality provokes. In other words the uprooting of millions of people from their homes – history that repeats itself.
Written and Directed by Kyriakos Katzourakis
Research Katia Gerou
Assistant Director – Dramatized Segments Daphne Tolis
Screen Writers – Dramatized Segments Maro Douka, Katia Gerou
Cinematography Alexis Grivas
Additional Cinematography Akis Zorbas, Kyriakos Katzourakis
Edited by Daphne Tolis, Kyriakos Katzourakis
Sound – Dramatized Segments Yiannis Haralambidis, Daphne Tolis
Sound Mixer Kostas Varibopiotis
Sound Design Daphne Tolis, Kyriakos Katzourakis
Sound Consultant Yannis Haralambidis
Executive Production Omada Technis
Executive Producers Nikos Doukas, Roula Nikolaou
Production Secretary Michelle Kondou
Post Production Advisor Akis Zorbas
Post Production Nikos Kanakis, Omada Technis
Color Timer Nikos Katoufas
Cast – Dramatized Segments Irina – Katia Gerou
Special Appearances Maria Egglezakis, Thodoris Grampsas, Nikos Arvanitis, Vasias Eleftheriadis
Transfer 35 mm Cinepix, Germany
Film Laboratory Cinemagic LTD
Sound Facilities Accelere LTD
Sound Transfer Sound Studio
Production Greek Film Center, Hellenic Broadcasting CORP: NET Omada Technis
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Maro Douka’s play
Do you like Brahms?
Irina Katia Gerou
Stage Direction/ Visual Installation Kyriakos Katzourakis
music Dimitris Theoharis
This monologue describes the story of Irina, a young woman from the former Soviet Union who comes to Greece after the events of 1990 and becomes a victim of sexual exploitation. Irina talks of her lost country, her lost culture and her unfulfilled dreams. Through a series of personal confessions and flash backs, her story unfolds and with it the everlasting adventure of immigrants.
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Katia Gerou & Kyriakos Katzourakis 