Queen Kong
In 2015 filmmaker Themistocles Lambridis set off on an adventure to shed light on a side of Greece that few are aware of. With his camera in hand and snowboard under foot, he shredded a vast playground of snow, explored fresh tracks and revealed a backcountry unlike any other. From the island of Crete to Mount Olympus, “The Thing About Greece” is an epic documentary that will forever alter your perception of this coastal country.
This chronicle of the Christchurch Commonwealth Games marked one of the National Film Unit's most ambitious productions. Though a range of events (including famous runs by John Walker and Dick Tayler), are covered, the film often bypasses the pomp and glory approach; instead it dares to talk to the injured and mention that most competitors lose. The closing ceremonies of the "friendly games" feature the athletes gathering to — as the official song's chorus put it — "join together". Four directors joined together to work on it: Arthur Everard, John King, Paul Maunder and Sam Pillsbury.
"De Pleintjes" is a documentary about Antwerp's street football culture. Rough areas such as Het Kiel, Borgerhout, Deurne and Stuivenberg are the backdrops to the social lives of thousands of youngsters. It's these areas where they grow up, learn about the world, and above all, dream of a better future.
