Next Stop: Utopia

When the Greek factory of VIO.ME. closes down, a group of workers decides to take radical action. They occupy the facilities and decide to operate the factory themselves, through a model of direct democracy. Their attempt inspires activists from all around the world, while the previous owner is surprised to see the family business turning into a symbol for the up-and-coming radical left. The workers, striving to make their plan sustainable, realize that selfmanagement is an adventurous process full of tensions that will finally alter themselves.

Apostolos Karakasis

Born in 1970 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Studied film and video in the UK at West Surrey College of Art & Design. Since then he has been involved in documentary filmmaking both as director and editor. His extensive work for television mainly focuses on cultural and historical issues, with a personal point of view. As a director, he has collaborated with many of Greece’s public television (ERT) documentary series. His independent cinematic work focuses on a creative portrayal of “common people’s” stories in an observational mode and has received awards and distribution in international festivals.