DES SPECTRES HANTENT L'EUROPE

In the spring of 2016, thousands of migrants were trapped in Greece when the European Commission closed the “Balkan route.” Maria Kourkouta and Niki Giannari take a three-pronged look at waiting and doubt in the Idomeni refugee camp: refugees in worn-out shoes wandering silently in the cold and mud; incomprehension and discord over the situation; and lastly the humanity of the individuals in the nameless masses of migrants. Keeping a respectful distance, the filmmakers capture the reality of the time and place, as well as the complexity of different perspectives and issues, before stepping back to give the events historic resonance – an essential act given the nature of the media’s coverage of the story.