In 2004, the most feted of all sports events - the Olympic Games - returned to Greece, the country where the Olympiad was born in 776 BC, and more specifically to Athens, the first city to host the event in its modern form back in 1896.

The games had changed, requiring mass-infrastructure projects and turning Athens into a massive building site.

The locals, while proud to host the athletes and the spectators, were less than pleased at the chaos, and took to the streets to protest.

Born in 1976 in Cambridge, England to an Irish mother and Thai father, director Shane Bunnag grew up in Athens before moving to study history at Edinburgh University.

After graduating he worked for a stint as a photographer's assistant before landing jobs in film production with Miramax, Merchant Ivory and Cabin Creek Films.

A constant visitor to Athens where his mother lives, he witnessed first-hand the run-up to the games.

The unfolding drama on the streets inspired his directorial debut - a full-length feature titled "All For Nothing", which combines factual documentary with fictional thriller.

"We are showing the very real frustrations and, at the same time, creating a work of fiction," he says.

The factual aspects are underscored through improvised dialogue and images of the massive construction sites all over Athens in the months preceding the games.

Bunnag felt strongly about the political situation but says he was neither for nor against the Olympics.

His complaints echo those of the citizens of Athens - the lack of proper assessment studies despite adequate time to prepare (the city was awarded the games in 1997), gross overspending and the unnecessary grandeur of many of the projects.

"All For Nothing" is set in the early summer of 2004, as Athens frantically tries to complete its preparations.

Street demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq, as well as against the massive security measures planned for the games, are exacerbated by protests at the massive urban upheaval.

Niko joins many of the demonstrations, partying, picking up girls and bunking off from his job as a courier. He's also chasing Iro, the girlfriend of his mate, Lefteris.

But Nike has a secret. He's a police informer, providing names and photos of his immediate friends and trading information about the left-leaning youth of his milieu.

Now, the police need more specific information about the protest that Niko doesn't have. So he makes up a story that lands him in danger.

The main character is loosely based on an informant used by the police in 1980 to crack a Greek terrorist organisation.

Bunnag admits he was more interested in the anti-Iraq demonstrations than the Olympics protests, explaining that the anti-war marches acted as a catalyst to bring more people out onto the streets.

It's the reason, he says, he decided to shoot the film with his friend, Alexander Seferiades, even though they could only raise US$10,000 (Bt375,000). 

"The film is much more than a simple political thriller. We are portraying the ambience of the city by capturing what was happening on the streets."

With all the footage in the bag and some of the editing completed, Seferiades got a job in Africa and Bunnag headed to Thailand, where he has been working for advertising agency Dot Dot Dot, making a name for himself in the film world.

He participated in the Bangkok Experimental Film Fest and contributed to Soi Project, shooting artist Pinaree Sanpitak's "Breast Stupa" video for the Yokohama Triennale 2005.

When he showed the rough cut of "All For Nothing" to the director of the World Film Festival, Victor Silakong was impressed.

Bunnag called Seferiades and the two got back together to finalise their film, which is being premiered at the festival.

"I hope that people will be able to follow the subtitles and that they'll enjoy the film," says the young director.

"All For Nothing" screens today at 8.30pm at Grand EGV, Siam Discovery.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation