Documentary “Don’t Break My Stones, stories from the Parian katikes”
The short documentary “Don’t Break My Stones, stories from the Parian katikes,” produced as part of the project “Study and Promotion of Everyday Life in the Parian ‘Katikia’,” by the Non-Profit Organization “Routes in Marpissa,” is now accessible on the organization’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.
The documentary, directed by Katerina Patroni in 2021, follows the research conducted by our volunteer team on the rural landscape and local identity of Paros. It has since been showcased at international festivals in Greece and abroad, highlighting the island’s unique character and its evolution.
In the documentary, four individuals share their stories and memories of their ‘katikes’ – homes that reflect a lifestyle guided by self-sufficiency, hard work, wise frugality, and respect. The study of life in the Parian ‘katikia’ reveals values such as resource economy and exemplary management, environmental respect, human-scale architecture, and the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
The documentary premiered in 2022 at the “Routes in Marpissa” festival under the title “Harvest in the Parian ‘Katikia’.”
Since then, it has been screened at selected International Film Festivals in Greece: Chania Film Festival (2022), Kalamata International Short Documentary Festival (2023), Little Islands Festival (Sikinos, 2023), Cultural Heritage Documentation Festival (Syros, 2023), Kythnos Documentary Festival (2024), as well as at the 3rd Summer School for the Cultural Heritage of Rural Areas (Dimitsana, 2022), the “Dry Stone Month” by the Cultural and Environmental Association “Ampasada” (Tinos, 2023), and Cine Enastron (Paros Park, 2023).
Internationally, the documentary traveled to the Stockholm City Film Festival (2022), Montevideo World Film Festival, Mediterranean Film Festival (2023), Festival Cannes-Milan-Athens, Ethnografilm Paris (2023), Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (2023), and GrecDoc (Nice, 2024).
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks once again to all those who participated in the documentary, those who contributed to its realization, and especially to Ms. Katerina Patroni for the excellent collaboration.
Production: “Routes in Marpissa”
Director: Katerina Patroni
Director of Photography: Christos Nikolareas
Editing, Sound Mixing, Color Correction: Alexandros Tasoulis
Music: Vangelis Fampas
Camera Operator, Drone Operator: Chrysostomos Stefanou
Assistant Director: Zoi Driva
Assistant Camera Operator: Spyros Andromaneskos
Image and Sound Workshops: Massive Productions
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage, Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Intercultural Affairs
*’Katikia’ refers to a residence located outside settlements, around which the people of Paros carried out their agricultural and livestock activities.