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Atlas

During the Greek economic crisis, three Greeks migrated to Germany in search of a better future. The documentary "Atlas," directed by Ioannis Katseris, a Greek immigrant living in Hamburg, chronicles their personal stories, struggles, and emotions, offering profound insight into the immigrant experience.

Lia, a physicist completing her post-doctorate at the University of Hamburg, came to Germany to pursue her dream of becoming a researcher, facing loneliness and professional challenges. Vasilis, co-owner of a Greek bar and part-time worker at the German Post, encountered difficulties adapting and experienced separation from his wife. Kostas, a former business owner in Athens, now works as a laundry technician in Berlin, striving to recover from his business bankruptcy.

Inspired by his own immigration experience, the director captures the lives of these immigrants, providing a deep and human perspective on their adaptation and quest for identity.

Atlas has already participated in and been showcased at significant film festivals, receiving important recognitions:

Best Talent Feature Documentary at the 19th Cyprus International Film Festival.
Special Mention at the 11th International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra.
Special Mention at the 17th Greek Documentary Festival – docfest.
Best Documentary at the New York International Immigration Film Festival

  • Ioannis Katseris
    Director
  • Ioannis Katseris
    Writer
  • Dimitrios Kouzis Loukas
    Producer
  • Ioannis Katseris
    Producer
  • Sieva Diamantakos
    Editor
    Postcards From Ukraine, Au Revel, And They Will Talk About Us
  • Sieva Diamantakos
    Cameraman
    Postcards From Ukraine, Au Revel, And They Will Talk About Us
  • Cornelius Glaser
    Colorist
  • Vasilis Migkoulis
    Key Cast
    "Vasilis"
  • Garyfallia Katsimiga
    Key Cast
    "Lia"
  • Kostas Mpakalis
    Key Cast
    "Kostas"
  • Roope Luokkamäki
    Sound Designer
  • Roope Luokkamäki
    Original Music
  • port-royal
    Music
  • Tommy Del Mar
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 18, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Greece
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 11th Chania Film Festival
    Chania
    Greece
    October 18, 2023
    Official Selection
  • German Premiere at Metropolis Kino, Hamburg
    Hamburg
    Germany
    October 28, 2023
    German Premiere at Metropolis Kino
  • 17th Greek Documentary Festival - Docfest
    Chalkida
    Greece
    November 25, 2023
    Greek Premiere, Participated in the official competition
    Won an Honorable Mention
  • 3rd Greece International Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    January 28, 2024
    Official Selection
  • New York International Immigration Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    NYIIFF 2023 Best Documentary
  • 11th International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra
    Ierapetra
    Greece
    August 13, 2024
    Won an Honorable Mention
  • 6th BRIDGES LOUTRAKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Loutraki
    Greece
    July 26, 2024
    Official Selection
  • 19th CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Nicosia
    Cyprus
    October 31, 2024
    Cypriot Premiere
    Best Talent Feauture Documentary
Director Biography - Ioannis Katseris

Ioannis Katseris was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He studied Political and Social Sciences at the University of Athens, driven by a strong interest in understanding societal structures and politics. During a six-month directing program at Mikro Polytexneio, he created the short film "Heaven Can Wait."

In the wake of the Greek economic crisis, Ioannis emigrated to Hamburg, Germany. His experience as a migrant, combined with the desire to capture the challenges and emotions of such a transition, inspired him to create the documentary "Atlas." The film portrays the lives of three Greek immigrants of his generation and reflects his own experiences.

"Atlas" has been recognized at several film festivals, including winning Best Talent Feature Documentary at the 19th Cyprus International Film Festival and receiving Honorable Mentions at the 11th International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra and the 17th Greek Documentary Festival (docfest) in Chalkida.

For "Atlas," Ioannis worked closely with documentary filmmaker Sieva Diamantakos, based in Berlin, to bring an authentic perspective to the migrant experience.

You can watch Ioannis short film "Heaven Can Wait" here: https://vimeo.com/58356253

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I decided to make this film to share the complex experience of leaving familiar surroundings like family and friends. I wanted to show the everyday lives of immigrants and the challenges they face in German society. By documenting the stories of these three characters, I also wanted to reflect on my own experiences as an immigrant and highlight the common experiences that immigrants face around the world.