Galery

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According to the director, the apprehended women are not prostitutes and they had not been caught in illegal brothels. "They were arrested while they were in central locations in Athens. One of them told me that she had been out to buy something to eat and another one that she had taken a drug dose a little earlier. The policemen had approached them and told them to go to the police station for their personal data to be checked. In fact we are talking about a situation that does not indicate in any way that the women are prostitutes. The majority of them are drug addicts, homeless and have serious health problems. All the women to whom I spoke while filming the documentary told me that they had been treated very badly. Although the conditions in the prison have been improved after the intervention of the activists, we are talking about serious violations of their human rights and honour, and of medical confidentiality, including the fact that their data and photos had been made public. Many of them had been aware of this when they had appeared before the magistrate to testify." The women also said that the mistreatment had continued in the prison where there had been no appropriate conditions for the acceptance of HIV-positive people and of drug addicts in a state of drug withdrawal, nor had they been provided with the necessary medical tests. "The whole story is very cynical - from the organization of the operation to the attitude towards the women, from the time of their capture to their entry into prison."

Why "Ruins"?

"There is an expression that we use in Greece for the homeless and drug addicts, for the people who live outside society. It is "human ruins". In Greece where, in times of crisis, we are all potential members of vulnerable groups because of the dire state of the country and of the health care system, it is very interesting that we call the people experiencing these specific problems in this manner. Another interesting element is that the expression exists in a country that is known for its ancient ruins. At the same time, there are increasingly frequent signs of abandonment such as empty shops, parks, whole neighbourhoods. So I think the story of these women is part of Greece’s history in times of crisis."

"Ruins" is the first film by Zoe Mavroudi who is a stage actress, author of theatre plays and film scripts. She says about herself, "Different topics concern me more from the viewpoint of an actor and writer, but I saw that a documentary would be the best tool to present the story in this case. Generally speaking, the main topic I am working on is related to the so-called "women's issues" although this definition is not correct in my opinion. Everything that concerns women concerns other people too. In this case, we see how the attitude towards these women reflects the problems in Greece. They affect all of its citizens despite the fact that women are an easier "target" and the story looks like an isolated case and tactic."

 
According to the director, the interest in the film is great. "The political crisis in Greece has aroused the interest of many people, especially in Western Europe. Another reason is the fact that this case is about the criminalization of AIDS and about the persecution of HIV-positive people on the basis of inconsistent data. Many activists, dealing with the protection of HIV-positive people, show great interest in it." It is worth noting that the women and the non-governmental organizations have filed, in Greek and European courts, claims against the attitude of the authorities towards them.

After its premiere in Greece the film will be presented in London. It will also take part in international documentary festivals in Australia and Canada.