Four members of Hellenic Film Academy Film critic Dimitris Danikas requested to be expelled from the Hellenic Film Academy, and the Ethics Committee granted his request.
The catalyst was his article Dimitris Danikas in *Proto Thema*, in an article titled «The Boot-Wearing Thug and the Chaos,» in which he wrote extreme things, essentially taking the side of Stathis Panagiotopoulos of Radio Arvyla.
Here’s an excerpt—and apologies for reproducing it: «So, because of their TV fame, they ended up in his bed. So, because of their “fame,” they got down on all fours. And since, thanks to trashy TV shows that reek of sleaze and filth, they agreed to be immortalized—visually, from the front, back, side, on their stomachs, and in group sex-like poses— then, with their swords, they earned the leading role in this vulgarity, which, compared to Dimitris Seirinakis’s latest professional pornographic film, seems like something worse than trash.’.
The representatives of the EAK Ethics Committee were very careful in their decision. They write, in this regard: «Mr. Danikas did not write a movie review. Rather, he wrote an opinion piece—essentially a political text—on an extremely serious social issue that we, as societies, have only recently dared to renegotiate and redefine. At a time when a serious dialogue has finally begun on sexual harassment and abuse, rape culture, and femicide—issues on which public voices are striving to lead a society that, directly or indirectly, tends to blame the victim— a member of the EAK writes an article on revenge porn that insists on treating the woman as (at least) an accomplice to the crime. We believe that such a text, written by such an influential columnist in such a widely read publication, has a catalytic effect on public opinion, reinforcing taboos and distorted norms that deny women the right to their own sexuality and self-determination. According to Mr. Danika, a woman ’must be careful“ because otherwise ”she’ll pay the price.“.
And they conclude: «Texts of this kind represent outdated, distorted, and dangerous views that have no place in a cultural institution. We filmmakers stand with women and choose the path of equality, respect, and open-mindedness, which we hope will lead to a more just world.’.
The request to remove Dimitris Danikas was submitted by costume designer Marli Aleiferis and directors Rini Dragasaki, Sofia Exarchou, and Konstantina Kotzamanis.
