From June 10th until September, the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, in collaboration with the Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival, presents Mystery 168 Mobile Solar Cinema, a contemporary traveling cinema that, starting from Elefsina, travels throughout the Western Attica to convey a strong environmental message.
Traditionally, itinerant cinemas used to tour the countryside showing screenings in open-air spaces in remote areas, they did not have the sole purpose of entertaining residents without access to movie theaters but the mission of conveying messages and information. Solar World Cinema, the international network of traveling cinemas that operate exclusively on solar energy, is doing exactly the same today. It visits Elefsina of industrial development and acute environmental issues, Aspropyrgos, Mandra, Megara, projecting an environmental message regarding renewable energy sources, sustainable cinema and green technologies. Its aim is to raise concerns about the environment and the identity of the wider region of Western Attica, to attempt to compose ecological messages using audiovisual media in a creative and original way.
For 12 nights in total, cinephiles and not only will have the opportunity to watch award-winning films, Greek and international productions, some of which are shown for the first time, and to talk with renowned directors, academics and professionals. At the same time, the “ecological” project of these film screenings is accompanied by a series of seminars – workshops with an environmental axis for children and teenagers aged 7 – 15, which draw their inspiration from the history of Elefsina, its industrial character and the Holy Mysteries of the ancient world.
The project is supported by the Region of Attica, while it is carried out in collaboration with the Municipalities of Aspropyrgos, Mandra-Idyllia & Megara, and the Cultural Association of Megara “Theognis”.
The entire mobile cinema equipment is powered by 100% solar energy. The solar cinema can travel to any area and is completely self-sufficient.
Screening schedule
9 SEP
Darwin’s nightmare
IRIS
Directed by Hubert Sauper
10 SEP| 21.00
The last forest
ELEFSINA OLD RAILWAY STATION
Directed by Luiz Bolognesi
16 SEP| 21.00
ΙRIS, ELEFSINA
The Last Human – premiere
Directed by: Ivalo Frank
Duration: 73′
17 SEP| 21.00
SAINT DIMITRIOS CHURCH, ELEFSINA
Up to the Last Drop: The Secret Water War in Europe
Directed by: George Avgeropoulos
Duration: 59′
18 SEP| 21.00
1ST PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAGOULA
Dear future children
Directed by: Franz Böhm
Duration: 89′