Living and Learning

An attempt at documenting the Greek educational system at every level, from kindergarten all the way to college. “Living and Learning” offers insight into both the battles and the small victories of public education.

1. “Little Strangers” by Elias Demetriou
Is it really possible for an educator to function efficiently in a classroom setting, when most of the kids at school are immigrants?

2. “Springtime at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki” by Apostolos Karakasis
The documentary follows the students and professors of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki throughout the turbulent events of Spring 2006.

3. “Chalk in Hand” by Kalliopi Legaki
Aris has been teaching science for the last 28 years. This year, he’s been assigned to the Experimental High School of Piraeus. Unfortunately, his love of teaching can no longer mask his disappointment about the future of public education.

4. “What is the Meaning of Country?” by Elias Giannakakis
How does a student learn to be “Greek”? This documentary focuses on History and Religion and all the regressive values intricately entwined with these two subjects.

5. “How Will You Ever Learn?” by Angelos Kovotsos
Olga is really struggling to help her kids with homework and it’s making everyone miserable. Are the kids supposed to get something out of it or are they supposed to just learn everything by heart so they can get good grades?

6. “What’s Eating Dimitri?” by Valerie Kontakos & Giannis Misouridis
Gianna, Matthew and several other parents of special needs children agonise over their future and try to find ways to ensure they become functioning adults.

7. “First Steps, Kindergarten” by Maria Mavros
Kindergarten is a funny old business: some people don’t really pay much attention to the curriculum, when in fact it’s the entire educational system in miniature!

8. “Paper, scissors and dreams” by Kalliopi Legaki
How does vocational training compare with the general curriculum taught at Technical High Schools? The camera documents the educational process at a dressmaking class.

9. “How am I Supposed to Learn?” by Marianna Economou
We document the implementation of the Flexible Zone Project at the 99th Elementary School in downtown Athens and the research program “Leadership and Learning” at the 2nd Petrouli High School, which allows school units to self-evaluate.

10. “What Will I Be When I Grow Up?” by Angelos Kovotsos
Students in Secondary Education talk about their professional aspirations and how they perceive the job market, while visiting different work environments.

11. “Back to School” by Amalia Zepou
Christina and Kostas got mixed up with drugs when they were younger and ended up getting expelled. Years later, they decide to go back to school and get their high school diploma.

12. “SOS Private Tutoring” by Giorgos Economou
We watch the offspring of an average Greek family take the college entrance exams, from endless hours of tutoring right up to the moment he gets his exam results.