Documentary #ThisIsACoup gets inside the fierce battle between Syriza and the EU
- Text by Alex King
“Guys we won. Don’t cry,” Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras joked as his party won Greece’s January 2015 elections. “When we lost, you were laughing. Now we’ve won, you’re crying.”
Syriza’s resounding victory was the first time in modern history a radical left party had taken power in Europe. The party was elected on a promise to end the crippling austerity inflicted on Greece by the EU, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, collectively known as the Troika.
Syriza knew they were in for a fight – but at the time, they had no idea the Troika would make their victory a poisoned chalice.
Four-part documentary series #ThisIsACoup takes us inside the vicious battle between Syriza and the Troika. With unprecedented access to Syriza, the film argues that their win exposed the limits of democracy and Europe’s elite destroyed Greece’s economy to defend their unquestionable authority.
Director Theopi Skarlatos and producer Paul Mason met in the middle of a riot, and followed Syriza’s rocky journey until the June bailout referendum, when 62% of Greeks rejected the EU’s austerity measures.
The film is supported by The Intercept’s Field of Vision, a filmmaker-driven visual journalism film unit co-created by Oscar-winning director of Citizenfour Laura Poitras, AJ Schnack and Charlotte Cook.
Watch Episode 1: ‘Angela, Suck Our Balls’ above and head over to The Intercept to catch new episodes dropping daily until December 18.
You might like
A stark, confronting window into the global cocaine trade
Sangre Blanca — Mads Nissen’s new book is a close-up look at various stages of the drug’s journey, from production to consumption, and the violence that follows wherever it goes.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Venice Biennale will not award artists from Israel & Russia due to war crime accusations
Art Not Genocide — Both countries will still be allowed to exhibit work at their respective pavilions, but be excluded from judging considerations, as they have leaders facing arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.
Written by: Noah Petersons
Confronting America’s history of violence against student protest
Through A Mirror, Darkly — In May 1970, two separate massacres at American college campuses saw deaths at the hands of the state. Naeem Mohaiemen’s new three-channel film memorialises the brutality.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kneecap, Brian Eno, Erika de Casier sign Eurovision boycott letter protesting Israel’s involvement
No Music For Genocide — It calls upon the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel from the upcoming competition, which is set to take place in Vienna between May 12 and May 14. Other signatories include Massive Attack, Hot Chip and Nadine Shah.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
“Madness can be overcome”: Robert Del Naja releases statement after Palestine Action arrest
“Small price to pay” — The Massive Attack frontman was one of more than 500 people detained on Saturday on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a group that has been banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 by the UK government.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Defiant photos of New York’s ’80s & ’90s queer activists
Arresting Images — Dona Ann McAdams’ photographs document the AIDS crisis, lesbian organising and civil disobedience from one of the most fraught eras in American LGBTQ+ history. A sale of her archive takes place later this month.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
