Zacharias Mavroeidis

Devastatingly sexy and relentlessly charming, The Summer With Carmen is the new feature film from Zacharias Mavroeidis, a sun-drenched romp with an entertaining, hunky cast which celebrates the bonds of queer platonic friendship, and a very cute dog.

While enjoying a day soaking up the sun at Athens’ gay beach, best friends Demos and Nikitas brainstorm ideas for a screenplay. Recalling the lively events of the summer where Demos reluctantly broke up with his ex, Panos, and somehow gained a dog named Carmen. The pair discuss how they can turn Demos’ encounters into a 'hero’s journey'.  

Starring Yorgos Tsiantoulas and Andreas Lampropoulos, the story explores themes of masculinity, sexuality, and the insecurities and compromises in pursuing romantic relationships. With a template of catharsis through creativity, the two friends gain new perspectives on their past experiences and fluctuating understanding of each other.

Ostensibly a comedy, the film also offers  authentic deliberations on how gay men discern what they truly want versus societal expectations. It provides a refreshing portrayal of the complexities in the platonic yet sustaining bonds between gay male friends, and their dogs.

Zacharias Mavroeidis has studied architecture in Thessaloniki, theatre in Madrid, scriptwriting in Cuba and filmmaking in Athens; becoming both a Berlinale and Sarajevo Talents alumni. His debut feature, The Guide, was screened in Thessaloniki IFF and in LGBTQ film festivals around the world. His sophomore feature, Defunct, won the Young Jury and the Audience Award in the International Competition of Thessaloniki IFF and the Best Film Award in KineNova IFF 2020.  

Since 2022, he has served as General Secretary at the BoD of the Greek Film Academy. He wrote the script of The Summer With Carmen together with first-time writer and best friend Xenofon Chalatsis, which has already won first prize in Agora-Works In Progress of Thessaloniki IFF 2022.      

Ahead of the general release of The Summer With Carmen on Fri 28 Feb 2025, we spoke to Mavroeidis about this new work, holidays and the nature of relationships.

How much of The Summer With Carmen is based on real events?

A big part of the plot was inspired by real events – there was actually a certain dog called Carmen to say the least… This real-life departure point was in the heart of the screenwriting journey.  

As the project moved to production, the cast and the rest of the creative team started to inform the film with their own views and experiences. And I do believe that once a film is completed, it acquires a life of its own, in interaction with the audience. From that point on, the inspiration for the story or the artistic intentions of the creative team behind it are of historiographical importance.  

Is it difficult to create something which is genuinely sexy without it appearing exploitative?

Both “sexy” and “exploitative” are quite subjective. The reaction of the audience to these traits of The Summer With Carmen has been surprisingly varied, according to their background. Much of the nudity in the film is due to the fact that a big chunk of the action takes place in a nudist queer beach.  

I don’t regard nudity as sexual by definition. That’s why I didn’t censor its portrayal. On the contrary, I see a lot of beauty in the naked body, on its curves and motion, and I really enjoyed framing it against the sea and the rocks of the beach.  

The sex scenes where also part of the plot. We see the main character coming out of a relationship in which sex was dead. So, he’s out to recover his sexual ego. Showing this character’s attitude in sex was a crucial element of his portrayal. And I was lucky to find actors brave enough to play these scenes without prudishness.  ‍

There’s some great examples of European cinema set on beaches and resorts. With films like Pauline À La Plage, How To Have Sex and Isabella Eklöf.’s The Holiday, it’s almost become a genre in its own right. What is it about escaping to sunnier climes that reveals a person’s true character?

People have many reasons to love summer holidays. The days are longer, sunshine makes as more extrovert, swimming in the nature is such a soothing experience. Meanwhile, holidays are like a time capsule in which we get to meet new people, experiment and reinvent ourselves.  

From a dramaturgical point of view, holidays have an inherent ticking clock. We experience all the above knowing that this won’t last long - time pressure always enhances emotions.  

How much does the film address the notion that ‘outsiders’ often create their own communities, forming friendships which are stronger than familial ties?

I think queer friendships are way more complicated and multifaceted relationships than those between straight people. They have the obvious layer of companionship, together with the playfulness or/and the competitiveness.  

At the same time, they have or had the prospect of romance – countless gay friendships are the outcome of failed dates or past relationships. And of course, queer people quite often seek in their friendships a substitute for their alienated biological families - a circle of people with which they‘ll share Christmas, holidays and hospital visits.  

On top of all these and judging from my own queer friendships, I believe there is another crucial layer of psychoanalytical nature. The majority of queer people, however different, share a common trauma, that of discrimination. And, witnessing our queer dearests’ process of healing is an expansion of our own journey. It’s kind of like an ongoing group therapy.  

There’s an old saying suggesting you shouldn’t work with children or animals. Was the canine actor playing Carmen easy to direct, or did you find yourself adapting a lot of scenes to their behaviour?

Nala, the dog playing Carmen, was an absolute charm. We did have to adapt a few actions according to how she performed but it was all worth it. She was the best cast for the part.

What hidden truth do you think the film reveals?

It’s all stated clearly at the end of the film. Mind the graphic “The film’s messages in order of appearance… “

What does the future hold for you?

I’m currently writing a new script - a crime story, set in northern Greece, and I also have an animation film in development – a story about straight cats on a Greek island. On the side, I’m working on a screenwriting theory book. I have been working as a script doctor and tutor for more than a decade, and this has brought me to think a lot about the nature of screenwriting. Needless to say, this has also been a crucial influence in the writing of The Summer With Carmen.

Zacharias Mavroeidis’s The Summer With Carmen is released on Fri 28 Feb 2025, with a special Q&A screening at Brighton’s Duke's At Komedia on Sat 1 March.

Find out more here

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