Sofia DocuMental 2024 will open with ‘Stray Bodies’ (2024) by Elina Psykou
Do we have rights over our own bodies in Europe? The opening film of Sofia DocuMental 2024 raises important questions about life and death. The fifth edition of the human rights-focused documentary festival Sofia DocuMental begins with screenings on September 28th, but will be officially opened on September 30th under the domes of Sofia’s Largo with the Bulgarian premiere of the film Stray Bodies by Greek director Elina Psykou, co-produced by Bulgarian producer Veselka Kiryakova.
This year, the festival addresses its audience with the slogan “Step out of the bubble” and officially opens its competition program on September 30th with a fascinating co-production featuring Greek, Swiss, Italian, and Bulgarian participation.
Elina Psykou's film Stray Bodies explores the increasingly common journeys across Europe undertaken in search of one’s own right to bodily autonomy. A Maltese woman travels to Italy for a legal abortion. An Italian woman goes to Greece for IVF treatments. A Greek woman travels to Switzerland seeking answers about dignified death. Different situations, yet all connected to the concept of ‘bodily autonomy’ and how it is treated by law in different countries.
Elina Psykou approaches these complex legal and philosophical questions with deep understanding, compassion, and a gentle love for life, even when discussing death. The strong documentary foundation is supported by original artistic cinematography, allowing viewers to confront dangerous existential depths without closing their eyes to the shared responsibility for the health, quality of life, and dreams of other members of society.
The film has garnered considerable international recognition from festivals such as CPH:DOX in Denmark, Thessaloniki Int. Documentary Festival in Greece, Hot Docs in Canada and many more.
Viewers in Bulgaria will have the opportunity to meet director Elina Psykou and Bulgarian co-producer Veselka Kiryakova in person and participate in a discussion following the film’s premiere.
The event is supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Greece in Bulgaria.