Onassis Channel | Eva Stefani and Dimitris Papaioannou in conversation with Afroditi Panagiotakou

How do you make a film about the creation and international tour of a work by Dimitris Papaioannou? What kind of portrait did Eva Stefani envision for one of Greece’s most acclaimed artists, and what pieces did she draw on to bring it to life? And, ultimately, what does the road to a performance that almost never happened look like? The discussion following the screening of "Transverse Orientation" at Onassis Stegi, featuring filmmaker Eva Stefani, artist and director Dimitris Papaioannou, and Onassis Foundation Artistic Director Afroditi Panagiotakou, is available to stream at the Onassis Channel on YouTube.

Turning her camera on Dimitris Papaioannou, Eva Stefani follows the inception and trajectory of "Transverse Orientation" step by step as the show travels to different theatrical stages around the world. For two years, her camera captured scenes from the rehearsals at the Onassis Stegi during the pandemic, as well as performances in Paris, London, Vilnius, and other international destinations, leading to the last show in San Francisco.

The film explores the dynamics that emerge from a work of art, unveiling the moments of worry and uncertainty but also absolute trust that define the world of rehearsals, hope in times of crisis, and loss transformed into creation. The film was lauded with the WIFT GR (Women in Film and Television) Award and the Special Award by the Youth Jury Award of Thessaloniki University Students at the 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. In the fall of 2025, it was screened at the major international festivals Doclisboa and Doc NYC, and had its Athenian premiere at the Onassis Stegi shortly before its release in Greek cinemas.