Dreams in another language

“Dreams in another language”
an awarded documentary by Lucia Rikaki
at Michael Cacoyannis Foundation
from October 14th until October 20th 2010.

A film, 216 children, 21 countries, 46 teachers, 80 hours of shooting material, 7 months of editing, a modern multicultural environment.

Does it really matter in which language a kid dreams? It shouldn’t, however, when life follows its own complexity, then dreams speak in their own language. A language that carries truth, humor, bitterness, puzzlement, tenderness, love. And the dreams are becoming space and power for life in whichever language, under whatever circumstances and they finally unveil when they find fertile soil.

A FILM FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SCHOOL

The documentary by Lucia Rikaki approaches and monitors life at a very special school . A school that is located just 300 meters away from the Green Line that splits Nicosia into two parts. It is a traditional female school of the past times, that was built in 1859, at Phaneromeni, at the center of the old town of Nicosia, which after a period of abandonment, due to the Turkish invasion, nowadays is open again housing a primary and a high school. Having 46 teachers and hosting 216 students from 21 countries (Cyprus, former CCSR, Iraq, Bulgaria, Philippines, China, Turkey), it was the inspiration for the director, Lucia Rikaki, who attempted to approach the individual characteristics of this educational venue, in relation to modern and emerging multicultural environment.

“Which wind brought us here? A colorful, very special school in Nicosia

With the director’s words: “It happened to visit Cyprus once, in order to present my film “The Other” at an Education Conference. There I had the chance to meet extraordinary teachers from the Faneromeni School, who had undertaken the organizing of the conference as well. It was night when I firstly visited the school and standing there at the stairs of the building, they started explaining to me what is taking place behind the big doors. The script had already started being born in my mind. This way was initiated the creation of a film based on the real stories of several individuals. We worked mainly by instinct, with lots of love, we devoted endless hours of observation and discussion with children of all ages. I insisted on giving the speech to them, more than anyone else.”

AWARDS:
1st AWARD FOR BEST GREEK DOCUMENTARY & BEST EDITING AWARD AT THE 4th CHALKIDA DOCFEST 2010