The cancellation of the screenings is turning into a major political issue Cine Portokalia, with public statements sparking controversy. Following the announcements by the Association and the Deputy Mayor, the leader of the minority faction, a city council member Anargyros Sofios He weighs in with a particularly scathing post, revealing previously unknown aspects of the case.
Mr. Sofios reveals that the anonymous complaint filed with the prosecutor also implicates him in various ways; however, he chose not to use the prosecutor’s investigation as an «excuse» to withdraw his support from the Association. At the same time, he is launching a full-scale attack on the municipal government, accusing it of «cultural poverty,» «favoritism toward partisan producers,» and «sabotage» of everything beautiful created on the island. «Is the mayor’s role to find solutions or excuses?» he asks pointedly, while expressing his certainty that «Portokalia» will find a way to keep the cinema alive.
The following is Anargyros Sofios’s statement, presented verbatim:
The issue that has arisen regarding our island’s only outdoor summer movie theater highlights two serious problems.
The first concerns the municipality’s stance. Unfortunately, every time something beautiful and creative comes into being, it seems as though people are looking for a way to undermine it. And they do so with excuses like «the district attorney called me,» following an anonymous complaint. (An anonymous complaint means either that the complainant lacks the courage to come forward publicly or that they are not certain their allegations hold up.).
It’s worth noting that the same complaint also mentions me in various ways. Nevertheless, I didn’t go around proclaiming that ’the prosecutor summoned me.« On the contrary, I continue to support the association and this outstanding initiative, because I believe that such actions deserve all of our support.
Beauty threatens only ugliness.
The second issue is the perception that artistic creation is something entirely superfluous. A bankrupt municipality that tries to hide its cultural shortcomings with a program consisting of favors to partisan producers and local courtiers, military bands, and village festivals—which are organized by the villages anyway—should not have as its crowning achievement events like «Cine-Portokalia» instead of sabotaging them?;
Knowing the people at Portokalia, I'm almost certain they'll find the best solution and the outdoor movie theater will continue to operate.
P.S. If life in our town comes to a standstill every time there’s a prosecutor’s investigation, then what is the mayor’s role? To find solutions or excuses?;
