Scuplted Souls

Swiss dentist Julien Grivel (b. 1943) came to Athens twice a year for 26 years (1972-1998) to attend to the Hansenites’ (lepers’) teeth at the “Agia Varvara” Hospital of Infectious Diseases, providing his services free of charge. 

In his book GREECE Μy Οwn Ithaca he writes: “By adopting the language of the Greeks, I unconsciously adopted their way of thinking… That inner journey helped me to see the world and life differently”. His friendship with Manolis Fountoulakis (ex-hansenite) was catalytic. “You know, mate, through these trials the soul of man gets finely chiseled” he used to say.

Director: Stavros Psillakis

Stavros Psillakis, born in Chania in 1954, is a documentary filmmaker and producer focusing on human existence. He studied Mechanical Engineering (NTUA), directing in Athens and anthropological documentary filmmaking in Paris (Ateliers VARAN). He has been honoured with major awards such as the1st Hellenic Film Academy Award, the Golden Alexander (2023) and the FIPRESCI (2025). A founding member of the Hellenic Film Academy and the Greek Documentary Association, he has directed more than 40 documentaries, with highlights including Άλλος δρόμος δεν υπήρχε (Another Road Did Not Exist), METAXA, and Σμιλεμένες ψυχές (Chiseled Souls).