Behind the Haystacks

Behind the Haystacks (Πίσω από τις θημωνιές) is a 2022 drama film written and directed by Asimina Proedrou in her directorial debut. The film tells the story of a middle-aged fisherman who, faced with mounting debt, begins to smuggle refugees across a lake on Greece's northern border. It had its premiere at the 63rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 'Meet the Neighbours Competition' section on 11 November 2022.

Behind the Haystacks was nominated in 17 categories in the 14th edition of the Hellenic Film Academy Awards, and won the Best Film Award along with nine other accolades. It was selected as the Greek entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. On December 7, it appeared in the eligible list for consideration for the 2024 Oscars, but it didn't make it to the shortlist.

Synopsis
In 2015, a middle-aged fisherman living on the border of Greece with North Macedonia near Doiran Lake finds himself in deep debt. He begins trafficking immigrants* across the border, in exchange for a large sum. His wife, a housewife and devout parishioner, seeks truth, while her daughter attempts to define her own life in an oppressive environment. Then a tragic incident hits the family, pushing the three heroes to confront their own impasses and personal weaknesses, while having to consider, for the first time in their lives, the price to pay for their actions.

&ast;During this period several European countries had closed their borders, resulting in hundreds of refugees and immigrants being trapped near the northern borders of Greece.

Cast

 * Stathis Stamoulakatos as Stergios
 * Eleni Ouzounidou as Maria
 * Evgenia Lavda as Anastasia
 * Christos Kontogeorgis as Christos
 * Dina Mihailidou as Georgia
 * Paschalis Tsarouhas as Dimitris
 * Leonidas Alatsakis as Nikos

Release
The film had its premiere at the 63rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 'Meet the Neighbours Competition' section on 11 November 2022. It competed in 53rd International Film Festival of India in November 2022 and won IFFI Best Debut Director Award for Asimina Proedrou.

It was selected in the Sydney Film Festival for its Australian premiere on 10 June 2023. It had its Irish premiere at Galway Film Fleadh on 12 July 2023. It was also screened at the Oldenburg Film Festival on 15 September 2023.

Reception
Amber Wilkinson of ScreenDaily reviewing the film at Thessaloniki International Film Festival wrote, "Proedrou's approach may be lyrical but it's also economical." Nadine Whitney, writing for The Curb wrote, "Behind the Haystacks is both poetic and caustic." Whitney added that "Proedrou, subtly damning Greek society for ignoring human suffering, isn't offering answers—she is showing how easy it is for people to avoid taking responsibility."

Accolades
Behind the Haystacks was shortlisted for the European Film awards in the 36th European Film Awards, but it was not nominated in the nominations announced on 7 November. The awards ceremony will take place on 9 December in Berlin.

The film set a record at Hellenic Film Academy Awards by getting 17 nominations and winning the prizes for best film, best director, debut director, best screenplay, best lead actor, best supporting actress and actor, best cinematography, best editing and best sound.

The film is also selected as Greece entry for nominations in 38th edition of Goya Award for Best European Film competing with other nine selections from 9 European countries. The 38th Goya Awards will take place on 10 February 2024 at Valladolid, Spain.