Director Zacharias Mavroeidis’ Queer Lion-nominated The Summer with Carmen (To kalokairi tis Karmen) is a gay film within a film, about pitching a gay film to a producer who wants a “fun, sexy, Greek and low-budget” script, and it succeeds on all fronts. Laced with a meta-commentary on queer filmmaking, incorporating several life-affirming themes, and featuring a handsome frequently naked cast—plus a cute dog—it’s everything you probably want from a gay feature. After all, it’s carefully designed that way.
Aspiring-actor-turned-aspiring-filmmaker Nikitas (Andreas Labropoulos) needs to pitch a script idea to his producer, the problem is he doesn’t have a story. While sunning themselves at a nude cruising spot Nikitas and his best friend, Demosthenes (Yorgos Tsiantoulas) strike upon the idea of making a film about their “summer with Carmen”; a Chihuahua that Demos adopted from his ex-boyfriend. Over that summer Demos dealt with his break-up from Panos (Nikolaos Mihas), his homophobic father’s ill-health, and the first time that he attempted to write a screenplay with Nikitas, testing the strenth of their friendship. Drama, sex, and a dog: the perfect gay film.
As the two plot out the scenes of their new script, they argue over the value of certain moments and realize they may look back at that summer a little differently. Nikitas attempts to distill the lessons of Demos’ life events are met with confusion and judgement. To Demos, adopting Carmen from his ex-lover was simply to save the dog. To Nikita it was a sign Demos was still clinging onto the relationship.
Mavroeidis, and his co-screenwriter Fondas Chalatsis, slip in their meta-commentary of filmmaking in a variety of ways, both subtle and blatant. Title cards introduce us to the rules of writing a screenplay, with two key plot moments and a life lesson for the hero to learn.The meta moments with a sly wink are the most enjoyable. After a flashback to a steamy sex scene, Nikitas and Demos debate whether they need to open their film with it, but decide the producers will want some action early on. After discussing the cost of having a live animal in the film, Carmen spends the next 15 minutes interacting with the cast from off-screen with little fanfare. This film has its cake and wants you to know that it is eating it too.
While these filmmaking games are being played, the audience is treated to some stunning vistas with sun, sea, and lots of casual nudity. Post-coital moments feel natural, without the awkward careful positioning of limbs and sheets to protect anyones modesty. There’s full frontal nudity, and it’s no big deal, as the dramedy of a gay friendship that is struggling to adapt as they grow older unfolds.
Labropoulos and Tsiantoulas are both excellent in the lead roles, with the friendship between the flamboyant Nikitas and the Greek-god-like Demos feeling organic and authentic despite their differences. The film’s humour, like its drama, is gentle and most of the laughs are internal rather than laugh-out-loud. Probably the funniest moment plays out over the end credits as the two fan-cast themselves in the Hollywood version of the movie.
This is a fun sexy gay movie that hits all the right notes.
By Chad Armstrong
The Summer with Carmen (To kalokairi tis Karmen) plays at the Mardi Gras Film Festival on February 24th & 27th February. The 2024 Mardi Gras Film Festival runs in cinemas in Sydney February 15th – 29th and on-demand Australia-wide March 1st – 11th.