Premiere of the film MEDITERRANIAN: LIFE UNDER SIEGE
From October 6, the documentary MEDITERRANEAN: LIFE UNDER SIEGE is showing in cinemas and is considered the largest film production to date about life in the Mediterranean Sea and the threats it faces from human activity.
The documentary features representative Mediterranean species of mammals, fish and birds; the sperm whale, the Mediterranean monk seal, the loggerhead sea turtle, the white-tailed eagle, a stork family, and a cat from the Cyclades. How do all these creatures coexist with us? How do they manage to survive, give birth to their young, and raise them in a world under constant siege by human activity?
The impressive cinematography, directed by multi-award-winning Fred Fougea, captures the Mediterranean Sea through the eyes of the animals that inhabit it and conveys the urgent message to protect its natural wealth. "It is important for people that live in the Mediterranean Basin to look at the sea that surrounds them in an unprecedented way," says Fougea. “They will be surprised to realize what is happening under the surface of the water just ten minutes away from their city - and how sensitive this world is. There's a French proverb that says 'we must listen to the age-old sea'... and I think it's about time we did."
Filming lasted two years and took place in twelve countries, but focused primarily on Greece, as it is home to many typical Mediterranean species and rare habitats like the underwater Posidonia seagrass meadows that are crucial for the survival of marine ecosystems. Anemon Productions, the co-producer in Greece, filmed in many key locations, such as Kyparissia Bay, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Amorgos, Santorini, Makronissos, Alonissos, and Gyaros. Filming was conducted in collaboration with local environmental organizations, such as ARCHELON: the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, Mom: the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, and WWF Greece.
The documentary MEDITERRANEAN: LIFE UNDER SIEGE is a European co-production of Boréales-Federation and Anemon, in co-production with BBC, France Televisions, RAI, Terra Mater, and ERT channels and with the support of the Greek National Centre of Audio-visual Media and Communication. The film distribution is organized by CineDoc in collaboration with the Cyclades Preservation Fund, which is celebrating 5 years since its establishment for the protection of the Cyclades.
Direction: Frederic Fougea | 90’ | 2022 | France, Italy, Austria, Greece
Trailer | Facebook Event | Tickets
Screening schedule:
Thursday, October 6, 20:00, THE FRENCH INSTITUTE OF GREECE, Sina 31, Athens.
* It will be followed by a discussion with the director Fred Fougea, the director of the Cyclades Preservation Fund Annie Mitropoulou, and ARCHELON & MOm representatives.
Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9, 16:00, DANAOS CINEMA, Leof. Kifisias 109, Athens
* It will be followed by a discussion with ARCHELON representatives.
Saturday, October 08, Achillion Movie Theatre, Argonafton 54, Volos
Wednesday, October 12, John Cassavetes & Stavros Tornes Halls, Warehouse 1, Ν.Votsi 3, Thessaloniki.
Organized by: CINEDOC
Co-organized by: Cyclades Preservation Fund | Anemon Productions | DANAOS CINEMA| THE FRENCH INSTITUTE OF GREECE | Thessaloniki Film Festival | Municipality of Volos | Achillion Municipal Movie Theatre of Volos
In collaboration with: ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece | Mom, the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal
Communication sponsored by: ΕΡΤ | Culture Now
CineDoc screenings are held under the auspices and with the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Find CineDoc on Facebook and Vimeo.
Building the network of the organizations rescuing wild animals in Greece
Wanted: Photos for ARCHELON’s 2023 Calendar!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS19/03/2024
Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
In the past, members of ARCHELON were actively involved in the elaboration of the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, published in 1995, and nowadays three of our collaborators participate in the writing of the revised guidebook “Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles”.
- OUR NEWS08/03/2024
The Over & Above Awards for 2023
These are the ARCHELON Over & Above Awards for 2023.
- OUR NEWS04/03/2024
The moving experience of Frederique at the Rescue Centre
At ARCHELON, you'll have the opportunity to meet and work together with new people and form lasting friendships - a major benefit of volunteering.
- OUR NEWS29/02/2024
Presentation of ARCHELON 2023 Results: Here is some good news!
On Thursday February 15th, 2024, ARCHELON’s annual Presentation of Results took place downtown, at the Impact Hub Athens. When welcoming members, staff, collaborators, friends and volunteers, Daphne Mavrogiorgos, Director of ARCHELON, spoke about the multi-leveled action of ARCHELON during 2023.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2024
Sea turtles in the Greek wetlands of international importance
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2. These vulnerable areas of the planet are a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife species, including sea turtles. ARCHELON is present in wetlands that play an important role for sea turtles, such as the Amvrakikos Gulf.
- OUR NEWS24/01/2024
Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
ARCHELON’s sea turtle conservation projects are organized with the valuable contribution of volunteers who come to Greece every year not just from Europe but from more distant places such as South Korea, Australia, and Colombia. Speaking English while carrying out fieldwork or public awareness activities as well as when interacting with each other in the campsites is essential to the projects.
- OUR NEWS17/01/2024
ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
Turtles with IV and bandages, rehabilitation and recovery tanks, special environmental enrichment equipment, recovery greenhouses, and… renovated train wagons! The hospital for injured and sick turtles that ARCHELON has set up in the 3rd marina of Glyfada, next to the sea, is certainly something out of the ordinary.
- OUR NEWS05/01/2024
What happened in the world of ARCHELON in 2023?
A world record for reproductive life for a sea turtle and 40 years of ARCHELON’s actions for protecting sea turtles are some of the moments we celebrated together this year. So, what happened in the world of ARCHELON in 2023? Here are some highlights of the past year.
- OUR NEWS21/12/2023
Assuming responsibility for the environment brings more meaning into our lives
“ARCHELON is an opportunity, not only for the animals and the ecosystems, but also for us who participate in it and for the society in which we operate”. Thomas Arapis, President and founding member of ARCHELON, talks about the efforts of the organization and about what he aspires for the future.
- OUR NEWS20/12/2023
Forty years later: the world of ARCHELON has expanded
Thomas Arapis, President and founding member of the Association gives the current coordinates of ARCHELON. "We encounter many turtles in our daily activities, and even more people, many more people actually, who help us. Amongst them are the people who work for us, they stand out for they represent the Association out there, through thick and thin".
- OUR NEWS20/12/2023
19 Environmental NGOs ask the Greek Government not to consent to a change in the wolf protection status in Europe
- OUR NEWS15/12/2023
Messages of love from the world turtle community!
Celebrating ARCHELON's 40th Anniversary we have received warm messages from the turtle community worldwide
- OUR NEWS14/12/2023
When the past becomes a lighthouse for the future
Thomas Arapis, the President of ARCHELON and one of its founding members talks about the quality and values, and the people who marked the setting up and subsequent action of ARCHELON. “Dimitris Margaritoulis taught us, not only the methodology for monitoring and protecting them, but also what it means to organize tasks, take responsibility, work as a team, evaluate our course and cooperate with each other”, he says.
- OUR NEWS12/12/2023
Notes of a volunteer (Part 2): Ηead trauma happens more often and is more serious than you think
Jessica Van Damme who volunteered at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre for 6 weeks in 2023, talks about what she learned while taking care of sea turtles with human caused injuries.
- OUR NEWS04/12/2023
Notes of a volunteer (Part 1): Jessica Van Damme was at the Rescue Centre
“During my 6-week stay, there were more than 30 injured sea turtles being treated at the Rescue Centre. Seven of them were successfully released, but, during the same period there were five new arrivals – all turtles with human-caused injuries. We, humans, are their biggest threat!”, writes Jessica.