“Improvisations in parallel mode”
Screening of the documentary “Improvisations in parallel mode” (2022, 44′) by Petros Kolotouros and discussion with the director.
Synopsis:
The experiencial intake of a journey in search of sounds and musical improvisations in the rural canvas of the Greek countryside. An audio-visual haiku that reveals the hidden architecture of a nature that breathes mysticism and rituality. Improvisation is the subject as well as the creative method of this collective audiovisual work. Guided by the musicians we wanted to meet, we set off on a spontaneous journey, with as little rational mediation as possible and with the maximum possible conscious presence.
With the participation of:
Savina Yannatou, Ross Daly, Kelly Thomas, Evgenios Voulgaris, Alexia Katsanevaki, Stelios Petrakis,
Dimitris Sideris, Antonis Anissegos, Kolida Babo, (Sokratis Votskos, Caris P.), Alexandros Rizopoulos,
Giorgos Papaioannou, Giannis Zannis, Giorgos Garozis, Margarita Ermidou, Tota Kontogeorga, Evan
Handlet.
Credits:
Direction, editing, sound design: Petros Kolotouros
Cinematography: Katerina Tzova, Petros Kolotouros
Production: Katerina Tzova, Petros Kolotouros
Additional shots by: Menandros Manousakis
Director Statement:
“Improvisations in parallel mode” is a documentary film the idea of which has been taking shape
some years already in my mind. More than a clear script or subject, it is an experiment on the
process of filming a documentary, integrating the two basic elements of improvisation and coauthorship.
The soundtrack is completely made from the improvised sessions we recorded, layering
and blending them with soundscapes that spoke to us while travelling. At the end of the day, it feels
like a polyphonic piece, giving voice to the mystical elements of nature and the processes of
interaction between humans and the rest of the Creation.
Festivals and prizes:
– 24th Thessaloniki International Festival (official entry, premiere)
– 9th Peloponnisos International Doc Film Festival: Best Music Documentary
– Barcelona Planet Film Festival: Best Soundtrack Award
– Cinergo International Film Festival: Special Mention
– 16th Chalkida Greek Documentary Festival
– 10th International Festival of Ierapetra
– 11th Film Festival of Chania
Press (articles and interviews about the movie):
www.flix.gr/articles/interview-petros-kolotouros-improvisations-in-parallel-mode.html
www.cinematek.gr/arthografia/music-cinematek-paralliloi-aytoshediasmoi-sto-24o-fnth
Short Bio of the director:
Petros Kolotouros is an audiovisual creator who bridges the realism of the documentary on the one
hand, with abstraction and sensory visual poetry on the other. From a young age he was involved in
music and photography, activities that he carried out professionally and artistically alongside his
polytechnic studies (diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 2011). In 2021, he graduates with honors
the MSc in “Culture And Documentary Film Production” from the “Department of Cultural
Technology and Communication” of the Aegean University. He has directed many video clips, videodance
and video art while he participated as director of photography in the feature-length
documentary “Me and my shadow” about the musician Nikos Papazoglou. His latest movie
“Improvisatons in parallel mode”, is a poetic documentary with sound the key element of the
narration. Both films premiered at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in 2018 and
2022 respectively, with the former winning the Audience Award at the New York Greek Film Festival,
while the latter won Best Soundtrack at the Barcelona Planet Film Fesival and Best Music
Documentary Award at the 9th Peloponnese International Documentary Festival. In 2023 he works as
a core member on the developing of the “Audiovisual Center of Cultural Heritage“ in Patras, Greece.
His main focus and research interest lies in the sensory possibilities of the combination of visual
language with sound. He lives in Athens.
Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWLBA-nlB2E&ab_channel=PostNomads