Writer/director Zacharias Mavroeidis’ beautifully photographed movie The Summer With Carmen operates on a multiplicity of levels.
It’s an on-off gay romance; it’s a love affair with the rocky gay nudist cruising area of Limanakia, south of Athens; it’s a detailed analysis of how to write a film screenplay. And it’s about a scene and heart-stealing chihuahua named Carmen, (real name Nala).
And it’s a crowd pleaser on all these levels, not least because of the naked presence of beefy ex-actor and now civil servant Demosthenes (Yorgos Tsiantoulas).
Zacharias is not afraid to take the piss out of gay relationships, the nude cruisers, the frenetic sexual encounters in the rocky nooks and crannies, and the unpredictable antics of the very needy Carmen.
The plot centres on Demos and his waspish buddy, the actor/writer Nikitas, played to 110% of his camp capacity by Andreas Lampropoulos. They are trying to decide on a screenplay – either Nikitas’ life story, or the events of the summer they are living through and centring on Demos’ breakup with his boyfriend Panos and his inheritance of Carmen from his broken relationship.
Demos’ turbulent life is depicted in scenes and then discussed by the two writers as possible film material. It’s a clever if contrived device.
As they lie naked on the rocks in the unremitting sunshine, there’s a comic contrast between their uncaring languor and the frenzied sex acts going on a few metres away.
In the end Demos’ search for love is channelled through his constant attention to and affection for the little rascal of a pooch, which becomes too much for him.
The two friends are bound to a formula supplied by the unseen film director for whom they are working: the film must be sexy, funny and low budget. The inclusion of the dog might be a problem.
They even consider writing a musical so we get a mini-scene with a drag queen floating on the sea and belting out a bit of Bizet’s Carmen. It’s high camp and quickly abandoned.
At its premiere in Brighton, both director and lead actor were present. They told of finding Carmen just days before filming, and how the main elements of the film were the sea, the rocks, the sky and the naked men. Oh and a low budget.
It’s a delightful gay comedy, with plenty of men to look at and some serious underlying themes of love, loss, true friendship and pet care.
There’s scope for a sequel – assuming Nala/Carmen is willing and available.
The Summer With Carmen is available on streaming platforms, in selected cinemas and via its distributor Peccadillo Pictures
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