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
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Ioannis KatserisDirector
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Ioannis KatserisWriter
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Dimitrios Kouzis LoukasProducer
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Ioannis KatserisProducer
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Sieva DiamantakosEditorPostcards From Ukraine, Au Revel, And They Will Talk About Us
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Sieva DiamantakosCameramanPostcards From Ukraine, Au Revel, And They Will Talk About Us
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Cornelius GlaserColorist
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Vasilis MigkoulisKey Cast"Vasilis"
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Garyfallia KatsimigaKey Cast"Lia"
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Kostas MpakalisKey Cast"Kostas"
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Roope LuokkamäkiSound Designer
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Roope LuokkamäkiOriginal Music
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port-royalMusic
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Tommy Del MarMusic
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:1 hour 10 minutes 50 seconds
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Completion Date:June 18, 2023
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Production Budget:20,000 EUR
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Country of Origin:Greece
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Country of Filming:Germany
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Shooting Format:digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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11th Chania Film FestivalChania
Greece
October 18, 2023
Official Selection -
German Premiere at Metropolis Kino, HamburgHamburg
Germany
October 28, 2023
German Premiere at Metropolis Kino -
17th Greek Documentary Festival - DocfestChalkida
Greece
November 25, 2023
Greek Premiere, Participated in the official competition
Won an Honorable Mention -
3rd Greece International Film FestivalAthens
Greece
January 28, 2024
Official Selection -
New York International Immigration Film FestivalNew York
United States
NYIIFF 2023 Best Documentary -
11th International Documentary Festival of IerapetraIerapetra
Greece
August 13, 2024
Won an Honorable Mention -
6th BRIDGES LOUTRAKI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALLoutraki
Greece
July 26, 2024
Official Selection -
19th CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALNicosia
Cyprus
October 31, 2024
Cypriot Premiere
Best Talent Feauture Documentary
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
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.