MFDB

Storyline

When a Greek factory goes bankrupt, the workers occupy it and attempt to run it on their own. Self-management proves no easy task; soon they discover that they first need to change themselves.

On February 12, 2013, a group of fired factory workers reopened their deserted workplace in Thessaloniki. They started a product line of cleaning products, based on the principle that any form of hierarchy was forbidden – everyone was equal. In the presence of the media, this unauthorized relaunch was named Day of the Occupation. Filmmaker Apostolos Karakasis follows these events closely, continuing to do so as the cooperation becomes the public face of solidarity and sovereignty during the Greek financial crisis. Makis Anagnostou, their eloquent spokesman, claims the factory owner, Christina Philippou, was convicted several times for company neglect. From her villa, Philippou in turn contends that their use of her production facilities is against the law. In order to keep the constant threat of administrators and creditors at bay, Anagnostou seeks support from likeminded people in Europe. They contact Greek politicians in the hope that the factory can stay open. But now that Anagnostou is in the spotlight, his colleagues fear that he’ll become an instrument of foreign politics. Meanwhile, factory workers wonder what they’re getting out of all this. Will their dreams of a better world withstand the harsh economic reality? 

Festivals & Academy awards and others

DocsBarcelona - International Documentary Film Festival 2016
Official Section
Atlántida Film Fest (Filmin) 2016
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam