Against the backdrop of the full moon of June, the first event for 2021 explores the meaning of time in cinema, through the legendary book on film theory “Transcendental Style in Film: Ozu, Bresson, Dreyer” in a discussion with director Syllas Tzoumerkas and film critic Alexandros Papageorgiou. The evening is accompanied by composer Yannis Veslemes, while the event’s artistic direction is carried out by Alexandros Voulgaris.
In the courtyard of the church of Agios Nikolaos, within the archaeological site of Elefsina, in-between the city’s archaeological past and industrial present, Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture inaugurates, on Thursday, June 24, at 20:00, the first event of Mystery 62, titled “Nights of Slowness – Discourses about Time / Nuits de Lenteur – A propos du Temps”, focusing on the concept of slow cinema. The evening’s main speakers are director Syllas Tzoumerkas and film critic Alexandros Papageorgiou. Along with the talks, the composer Giannis Veslemes, improvising through the technology of modular synthesizers, deconstructs and reconstructs the classic composition by Johann Sebastian Bach, “Air on the G String”. Responsible for the program’s artistic direction is director and musician Alexandros Voulgaris (The Boy).
This June’s full moon evening is dedicated to the legendary film theory book “Transcendental Style in Film: Ozu, Bresson, Dreyer,” by Paul Schrader. In the book, Paul Schrader explains the aesthetic tools with which the above directors approached the concept of spirituality in their work. Overall, the analysis revolves around the revolutionary way in which they handled time to define and indelibly influence what we now call slow cinema.
It is recommended that guests bring cushions or mats or some other cloth for the ground.
The Idea:
The Night of Slowness (Nuit de la Lenteur) was presented for the first time in Elefsina in 2018, in collaboration with the French Institute of Greece. It is part of an annual event, dedicated to the exchange and circulation of ideas, organized by French Institutes all across the globe. Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture repeats and further develops the action in 2021 with two key moments, under the title “Nights of Slowness – Discourses about Time / Nuits de Lenteur – A propos du Temps”.
The Nights of Slowness are hosted twice a year, under the light of the full moon, and present a series of original discussions featuring distinguished guests, always focusing on the concept of time. At the same time, each event is accompanied by different cultural actions. The Nights of Slowness are here to introduce us to the art of slowness, and to slow down the frantic pace of a world that moves way too fast.
Contributors:
Syllas Tzoumerkas, director, screenwriter, actor
Alexandros Papageorgiou, film critic
Soundtrack by composer Yannis Veslemes (Veslemes)
Art Direction: Alexandros Voulgaris (The Boy)
Event Info:
Venue: Courtyard of Agios Nikolaos, archaeological site, Elefsina
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Time: 20.00
Free Admission with Entry Pass
The distribution of Free Entry Passes starts one (1) hour before the start of the event and lasts until their exhaustion, at the entrance of the site (11 Sotiriou Gkioka Str., Ierofanton Square, Church of Agios Nikolaos). There will be a simultaneous recording of participants’ full names and contact details, so that, in case of a COVID outbreak, the relevant contact tracing can take place.
Capacity: 80 sitting spots
*It is recommended that guests bring cushions or mats or some other cloth for the ground.
During all Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture events, all the necessary measures are taken, in accordance with the relevant health protocols, for the safety of both the public and each event’s employees.
