The challenging coexistence between Dimitra, approaching her 50s, and her manipulative mother, Rea, reaches a breaking point when Dimitra attempts to install a treadmill in her bedroom.
TREADMILL
Greece 2024 / 20′
a film by
George Kimissis
with
Evi Saoulidou
Yvonni Maltezou
John Sofologis
Konstantinos Christopoulos
| Screenplay | George Kimissis |
| Director of Photography | Dimitris Lambridis |
| Production Design | RECTIFIER & Tzo |
| Costume Design | Magda Kaloriti |
| Editor | George Ktistakis |
| Composer | Nikos Ropaitis |
| Sound | Nikos Bougioukos |
| Producer | George Kimissis |
| Production Company | Grumpy Gorilla Films |
| Distribution | Esen Studios |
AWARDS
- Drama International Short Film Festival
Greece, 2024
Audience Award
Official Selections
- DISFF – Drama Int. Short Film Festival
Greece, 2024
Oscar and European Film Awards qualifying festival - Panorama European Film Festival
Greece, 2024
George Kimissis
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, George Kimissis was captivated by the arts from a young age, immersing himself in guitar and music theory studies since the age of 12. Despite receiving a degree in Material Science, his passion for storytelling led him to pursue filmmaking, thus he honed his skills at the Hellenic Cinema and Television School Stavrakos.
His directorial debut, Treadmill, delves into the profound impact of family and societal pressures on an individual’s character, highlighting the constraints one may face in expressing their true self. The film navigates themes of familial bonds, the significance of timing, and the potential for redemption through second chances. It prompts reflection on the question: Is there truly a deadline for becoming who you aspire to be?
Director statement
‘Treadmill’ is an exploration of the human condition through the interplay between repression and will. The film delves into the life of Dimitra, a woman approaching 50 who struggles to claim autonomy over her life while cohabitating with her elderly mother, Rea.
Our primary goal was to create a cinematic piece that raises questions about the boundaries of personal freedom and the destructive power of suppressed emotions. Is it ever too late to turn your life around? To become who you want to be? Why do we allow others to define our identities so profoundly?
In approaching ‘Treadmill’, we aimed to create a focused perspective that allows the audience to fully experience the reality of Dimitra’s life. The cinematography, along with every other structural element of the film, is designed to immerse viewers in her psychological landscape without forcing them into a predetermined emotional state.
Working with Evi Saoulidou and Yvonni Maltezou, whose performances are both fearless and versatile, was crucial in bringing these characters to life. The same applies to our talented crew, with whom we altogether strived to tell a story with deep dramatic content while also highlighting the bits of humor that can emerge in such circumstances.
I hope ‘Treadmill’ challenges audiences to reflect on the nature of control, timing, self-awareness and sparks discussions on these themes.
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