03/10/2026
“2 Miles from Home” — A Documentary by Julia Speropoulos
2 Miles from Home, a creative documentary by Julia Speropoulos, explores a tragic and often overlooked chapter of early 20th-century history: the persecution and genocide of the Pontic Greeks. The film focuses on the years 1914–1923, a period marked by violence, forced displacement, and mass killings in the Black Sea region of what is now Turkey. Historians estimate that more than 353,000 Pontic Greeks lost their lives during these events.
The narrative reaches its dramatic peak with the arrival of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Samsun on May 19, 1919, a moment that symbolizes the height of the persecution faced by Pontic communities. Through this historical milestone, the documentary examines the broader context of violence and the long-lasting impact on survivors and their descendants.
Blending archival footage, photographs, newspapers, sketches, 2D animation, and contemporary interviews, 2 Miles from Home brings together the voices of survivors’ families, historians, and genocide awareness activists. Their testimonies shed light on stories of displacement, hardship, and resilience while challenging the silence and denial that have surrounded these events for decades.
By combining historical research with creative storytelling, the film invites viewers to engage with the past and reflect on the importance of acknowledging historical injustices. 2 Miles from Home aims not only to document memory but also to encourage dialogue and understanding about the consequences of genocide and the need for truth.
For information about screening venues and times, visit www.gifft.ca
https://vimeo.com/463386636?fl=pl&fe=vl
Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada is the only Greek film festival in a nation wide scale. Join us in 11 cities accross Canada.
