JEAN
A DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM BY JULIA SPEROPOULOS


DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
This film examines the rejection of a well-structured yet declining society of materialism, and the return to one’s roots where one can explore the spirit that was once lost. In a civilization full of distractions, one is indulged in their daily routine without putting much thought into what it means to be truly happy.
When western civilization misinterprets the meaning of happiness for its people, Jean chooses to be happy living away from it. As he states in the film, “It’s not just where you live. It’s how you can improve your life, by using your own qualities only, by not expecting anything from anybody else. Only from nature and from God’s help.”
- Julia Speropoulos, director/producer/animator
«What matters is what you can do with your own qualities only. By not expecting anything from anyone else.»
MEET THE CREW
Alexandra Masmanidi, EDITOR
RESUME
Alexandra Masmanidi studied Audiovisual Arts at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens. She was the editor of JEAN documentary film, which is Winner of Best First Film of a Director at the 4th International Documentary Film Festival Ierapetra, as well as Special Mention Winner in the Documentary Section at the 7th Athens International Digital Film Festival 2018. As a set photographer, she’s also participated in the film NIPETHES, directed by John Simvolis, and VOURVOUROU, directed by Karina Logotheti. As a camera operator, she has participated in the Swartz Foundation A WORLD NOT OURS exhibition, directed by Thodoris Prodromidis.
FESTIVALS/AWARDS
- Winner of Best First Film of a Director at the 4th International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra, Greece.
- Honorary Mention at the 7th Athens International Digital Film Festival, Greece
- 3rd place in the Audience Award category at the 4th Peloponnisos Doc Festival, Kalamata, Greece.
- Official Selection at the Human Rights Film Festival Barcelona/NYC/Paris, 2017, Barcelona Spain.
- Official Selection at ROMA CINEMA DOC, February 2017, Rome, Italy.
- Official Selection at MINDIE Miami Independent Film Festival, April 2017, Miami, Florida, USA.
- First Selection International Short Film Festival Kalmthout, Belgium, 2017