Salonika(2006)
Salonika is a short video that explores the history of the Holocaust in Greece through recursive theatrical and documentary footages. Performed by Nina Foufa, Matthew Kellard and Robert Voyer. Translated by Nina Foufa. Music by Robert Voyer. Written, directed, shot, edited and designed by Nicholas Monsour
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I would like to tell you a story. This story takes place in a city called Salonika, between the years of 1939 and 1943. This story has two main characters. This man’s name is Josef. He is 25 years old. He is a widower. His wife died of cholera. He did not join the army because of a heart condition. This woman’s name is Matilde. She is 21 years old. She is a widow. Her husband was killed in battle. Josef works in a library. He has translated many books. He can read Greek, Hebrew, Italian and Ladino. Matilde works in an orchard. She often saves fruit to give to other families in her neighborhood. They were married that spring, like many Jews in Salonika, because they were told that married people would not be sent into forced labor camps. Their neighbors and relatives began to disappear and the orchards were left untended. The fruit began to pile up on the ground. April 21, 1943. Dear Matilde, I was told today that they are looking for me. Please don’t let them take the books. As she read the note, she tried to imagine the moment when she would see her husband again. During the long, dark train ride, all he could think about was the fruit, slowly rotting.
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