The Story of the Dukakis Center -- Critics’ View

The Dukakis Center premiered -- at long last -- the documentary film “Now More Than Ever,” virtually, at the conclusion of the Third Annual Thessaloniki Think Tanks and Civil Society Forum on Monday, February 8.

The project to produce a documentary on the Dukakis Center was long in coming to fruition. Begun in 2014 when renowned film maker Christos Nikoleris was contracted to conduct a Master Class in film making with a cohort of Dukakis Center interns, the film was produced by Asterios Gousios and Dimitris Savvaidis of AddArt some five years later. The pair recorded events scheduled during the Dukakis Center’s 20th anniversary season of public service initiatives, while the last filming session took place on campus with another group of interns on February 7, 2019.

Meanwhile, three story boards were drafted, while archival film material from events held as long ago as November 2011 was reviewed and, in select instances, incorporated in the final production.

A total of 17 Dukakis Center interns from seven countries (and four American states) contributed to the project. Countless other ACT students and alumni figure as stand-ins from several Dukakis Center events on and off the ACT campus. ACT instructors Ruth Sutton and Maria Patsarika, and ACT Provost Stamos Karamouzis, feature in brief cameos. Dukakis Center Director appears at junctures in the film to explain the mission of the Dukakis Center and the meaning of its public service ethos.

The critics -- students, alumni, and faculty alike -- were unanimous in their praise for the production. Said Director Wisner, “I am proud of the fact that we placed our faith in the talents and integrity of our interns in the first instance, and in two young film makers in the second, to realize the goal of celebrating twenty years of activity at the Dukakis Center. Our faith was well rewarded.”

In November 2021 the Dukakis Center will celebrate ten years since the Dukakis Chair, launched in 1999,  was transformed into an academic and outreach center.

Here is what viewers had to say about the premiere:

"I was not able to attend the event but I did see the documentary and it was beautiful. I hope that the center has 20 years and more of success and meaningful contribution!"
-- CK

That was a great documentary! You have created something for future generations... to make the world a better place
-- KK

I watched it three times... This is something that will stay forever... It’s my honor to be part of it!
-- GJ

Great job with the documentary! So good to finally see it!
-- LN