Police bans ultra-conservatives’ film protest rally in Thessaloniki

Police in Thessaloniki has banned public gatherings on Tuesday amid concerns about a rally organized by ultra-conservatives to protest “Aδέσποτα Σώματα” – Stray Bodies – a documentary to be screening tonight in Thessaloniki.

“Αδέσποτα Σώματα” – “Stray Bodies”  in English – is a documentary by Elina Psykou that explores the body autonomy and women’s rights.

The film follows the story of three women and according to the short description the film is a documentary in the form of a road movie. His heroines travel through an increasingly conservative Europe, claiming nothing less than autonomy and self-determination of their bodies. Their journey is unbearably serious and hopelessly funny, their demands urgent, their rebuttal flimsy but often resonant, the outcome ambiguous.

The film’s poster portrays a pregnant woman dressed in a scarf and loin cloth and nailed to a cross.

The poster sparked furor among ultra-conservative groups, the Bishop of Thessaloniki and a group named “United Macedonians” that called on social media platforms for the protest rally outside “Olympion” cinema on downtown Aristotelous Square scheduled to start at 7 p,m. on Tuesday.

Festival Director turns down Bishop’s request

In a letter to the festival director Elise Zalandos, Bishop of  Thessaloniki Philotheos, reportedly requested that the poster not be displayed because “it is deeply provocative for the religious feeling of the Christians of the city.”

Festival director Zalandos turned down Philotheos’ request in a letter saying among others “I understand that the promotional poster for the film Stray Bodies may express views contrary to yours. I’m sure the same is true of other works of art presented in cinemas, television stations, art galleries and museums. But I also see works that I don’t like and hear opinions that are contrary to my own. But in no case could I ask for their ban, or their withdrawal, because this is against the Rule of Law.”

She  invited the Bishop to the screening tonight, instead.

“We invite you to the screening to see for yourself that this documentary is driven by the creator’s desire to record the agonies of people who suffer because their freedom is restricted. As a woman, mother and worker, I too see with concern that the world, in the year 2024, seems to be going backwards. Violence, attacks against women, femicide are constantly increasing. Attacks on the weak and different are also increasing. […]

Authoritarian regimes that limit freedom, violate basic human rights and challenge the concept of democracy are also on the rise. Democracy is a wonderful institution that invites us to coexist with people who may have different views than ours. If these opinions do not preach hatred and do not call for illegal acts, if they do not threaten the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy and if they do not violate existing laws, then we must listen to them in the context of a society of acceptance and love.” the festival director wrote among others.

She also referred to the horrifying and unprecedented incident on Aristotelous Square last Saturday, where a mob of some 150-200 people chased and assaulted a transgender couple.