["Better Than Electric" by Kid Moxie and Maps playing]
[water lapping gently]
So we're not even going to speak to each other
when we spend time together?
What's there to say?
You think there's nothing?
Is your book any good?
Very.
And your music?
Very.
The Great Chimera?
Mhm.
A classic novel.
Mine's not classic.
Can I swap with you?
[sighs]
["Better Than Electric" by Kid Moxie and Maps continues]
♪ Tonight this city breathes with me ♪
♪ She makes me dream big ♪
♪ You and I are better than electric ♪
♪ Wait for me ♪
♪ Leave a light on ♪
CHAPTER IV - THE GREAT CHIMERA
[Maria] God gave the lucky ones a tool,
which allows for them to act on thought.
If they have any.
I cook.
Some dishes are like relationships.
They're complex.
[ominous music playing]
They have many layers, odd tastes,
and if you don't cook them at the right temperature,
you'll burn them.
It's not easy living in such a tiny place.
I make it work though.
With my sense of humor, my self-deprecating wit,
my tendency to focus on all that's good in life,
and my belief that one day, everything will be better.
But of course,
belief and humor won't get you anywhere by themselves.
No.
You need to act if you want to get ahead in life.
Courage and action.
I always let others do the acting part.
It was easier that way.
And here's where that got me.
Being afraid for myself and for my child.
And all out of shame of what others might say.
That was my ruin,
others.
I read somewhere that it's called domestic violence.
It's forbidden by law
and supposedly it's a right protected by the Constitution,
to not have someone beat you,
to not feel fear.
Tell me how you're going to raise this kid alone, huh?
With whom?
Why would you want to put your son through so much trouble?
So, what? He loses control sometimes. Have sympathy.
What you want to think about is what's best for your kid.
["Yellow Mountains" by The J.W.F. Military Band playing]
[Maria] Whenever he lifts his hand,
I just listen to music in my head.
I like to believe that deep inside, there's some good in him.
He's had it rough.
He had no education.
He gets violent when he drinks.
That's how he was raised.
That's all he knows.
He says he doesn't mean to do any harm.
But he does.
I don't mean any harm either.
But I end up doing it too
by putting up with it.
[unsettling underwater noise]
How important is intention?
And how important is the outcome?
- [screaming] - [grunting]
Spyros!
Don't!
Get off her.
Spyros!
What are you thinking?
- Please, put the gun down. - Get off of her now!
Put the gun down.
Get away from her!
[whimpering]
We're going to the police now and you're telling them everything.
Son, put it down.
We'll both go and you'll tell them all about the dirty work you do.
You know how much trouble you'll be in if you go through with this?
You'll drag your mother's name through the mud.
- Are you gonna provide if I go to jail? - Spyros!
Spyros!
This won't end well. Please.
Hold on, dear, please.
Do it for me. [sighs]
The cops know everything, Spyros.
You'll only get in trouble.
You won't achieve at all, little boy.
I'm going to get rid of you.
Son, put it down.
You...
Do you know about these things he's talking about?
Yeah.
And you're okay with all this?
[whimpers]
You deserve everything you get.
[whimpers]
[door closes]
It's a very delicate matter and I don't want to discuss it.
I'm under no obligation
and I certainly don't feel I owe you an explanation.
- Are you being serious? - Yeah.
It's none of your business.
That money comes from my business ventures,
that you shouldn't have been looking for.
- You mean money laundering. - [bangs table]
I suppose dinner is over and we're done eating now.
You got nothing to say about this?
I never wanted this to happen, honey,
and we never wanted to put our children
in such a difficult position.
You have the right to say whatever you want.
I'll get the watermelon.
Klelia,
this discussion is now over.
You must be kidding me.
No.
So are we to assume we're right about everything, then?
Assuming what?
That our parents are laundering money coming from shady and illegal activities.
Like trafficking with Dad's boats.
Hm.
Just how stupid do you guys think we are?
Your father has been working hard to get out of this for a very long time.
- And he's almost there, aren't you? - Almost there?
Having this dirty money in the house...
- The money is all gone. - Gone where?
- Used in purchases and investments. - [laughs]
Mom, I'm really impressed.
Didn't think you could.
[Klelia] Dad.
I'm not leaving until you speak to me.
And tell you what?
There's two of us, not just Klelia.
I promise you this will be over soon.
I can't say anything more.
I'd appreciate it if you didn't pressure me.
Okay, what would the worst case scenario be then?
- I go to jail. - No, that would be the best case scenario.
Do you understand how important it is you don't say anything to anyone?
Have you told anyone?
- No. - I haven't.
Okay.
I promise you that I will never put you in a difficult situation.
So you're a criminal who's going to stop being a criminal.
Hm. Because that's really hard for me to believe.
Yes.
Fine, so we just go on as if nothing's happening.
Did you know about all this?
I definitely deserved that look from her. I can't say that I didn't.
Tonight I confessed I'm gay to my parents,
and now it's water under the bridge compared to this.
It was never a big deal, my boy.
You're only torturing yourself, my dear.
Grandma,
thank you for being so great.
You know I am.
Here. Eat some watermelon.
[breathes shakily]
Shit. God fucking damn it!
Spyros knows everything.
His father asked for his help with work and he told him everything.
But Spyros declined.
He won't talk to you. But I'll ask him as a favor.
You sure you can you do that?
See how things turn around?
Now they need you, so you have the upper hand.
That went really well, Fanis mou. Bravo.
["Love Poem 1986" by Kid Moxie playing]
[sniffs]
[Maria] I was never in love with Charalambos.
I don't know how it feels to fall in love.
I don't even know the meaning of the word.
Fortunately, he barely touches me anymore.
And when he does, it's to remind me that my body has never felt any real joy.
I envy those who've known true love.
It's unfair, hating the person who touches you.
Unfair to your body.
Unfair to your soul.
I made love with him, but I knew that he wasn't the right one.
My body screamed for me to leave.
I suffered. I was in pain.
I couldn't breathe.
[phone vibrating]
ANTONIS - INCOMING VIDEOCALL
What are you doing?
- Yianna's inside... - I don't give a fuck about Yianna.
Have you spoken to anyone else?
- My mother knows everything. - That's it.
- No one else needs to know. - Okay.
You can come over when you like but I gotta hide?
It's different.
I came out to my whole family tonight, Spyro.
What?
I hope you didn't tell them anything about me.
No, don't worry. Only about me.
Alright.
- So what do you want from me? - Nothing.
Just forget about me.
And make sure not to talk to anyone about both our fathers' business.
Or we'll both get in trouble.
- Go, Yianna's waiting. - Wait.
Get off me!
[Maria] Deep inside,
I know my child really well.
He's suffering, he's pretending,
and I don't have the strength
nor the knowledge to relieve him from his burden.
And everyone says I'm a good mother?
Me?
I've failed that too.
Good morning.
Good morning, Miss Maria.
Pastitsio.
We need to bake it in the oven for an hour or so.
I didn't bake it so it wouldn't get cold.
You... You said you'd bring me a piece, not the whole thing, Miss Maria!
You'll eat it all. Don't you worry.
There we go.
It should be ready in an hour.
- I put in some nutmeg, I hope that's okay. - It is.
Ah!
Good.
- I'll be going, then. - Okay.
- Would you maybe like to stay... - Yes!
- Coffee? - Yes, some Greek coffee. I'll do it.
Okay.
Give me a minute to take a shower first.
Yes, yes, go.
I'll stay and start the coffee, we'll have it in the backyard.
And then we'll go to the school. We'll have more than two hours to spare.
Then we can eat the pastitsio.
And I have some ideas I want to share with you about the festival.
Okay.
Just give me two minutes.
Thank you.
What do you mean? You brought the pastitsio.
I know you know, you're not stupid.
Thank you.
["Madrina" by Italian Social Club playing]
So, in Corfu there's this amazing symphony orchestra,
the Mikis Theodorakis Orchestra. They're all young.
My close friend's niece plays in it.
And she owes me a few favors.
She's nice, but a bit dumb. She's gotten involved with a married guy.
Uh, so she can help us out.
We don't have that stuff here. What do you call the violins?
- Strings. - Right, strings. We don't have any.
We have choirs, we have a philharmonic orchestra,
but we don't have many strings.
What can you do? It's a small island.
How many violinists do you expect us to have?
But they have everything on Corfu.
It's a full package. So I had a thought,
we'd ask them to join us here
and play in the festival with our performers on the island.
Yeah, I already thought of that
and was going to ask Fanis to put me in touch with them.
I can arrange it. It'd be great to have more musicians.
Mm, I agree.
Things are slowly changing, as you can see.
Of course it's not enough.
Still, we're a small few.
Indeed.
Miss Maria, how can I help you?
How to help me?
You're saying that you came all this way
to bring me pastitsio and talk about strings?
I have a problem.
I fear for my Spyros.
And I have no one to share this with.
[sighs]
You're more...
Uh...
I mean, I'm not afraid to confide in you.
You're different.
You understand.
[sighs] Yet, what can you do?
You see,
we don't have all the things that you have in Athens,
psychiatrists and stuff.
And with you, I felt...
I guess...
Mu... Music made me...
That's all.
[exhales]
Ask me anything you want.
Why are you worried about Spyros?
With a father like that?
I'm not stupid, even though I pretend to be.
There are many problems and disputes.
I want you to find a way for him to attend school every day.
It was great you asked him to help with the electrical stuff the other day.
But he didn't show up.
Let's try again. It can only do him good.
And I'll keep a close eye on him.
Alright.
Thank you, Orestis.
I know that living with his father is not doing any good for him.
And I'm trying to...
to find the strength to change that for us.
It's not easy.
No, it's not.
You pity me.
No.
And I promise to do everything in my power to help you two.
But, Maria, I don't mean to pry,
but you should have gone to the police to press charges
and you should have gone to a lawyer to see about getting a divorce.
That's how you help your child. If that's what you really want.
There's no music in the world that can help solve all your problems.
How do you know?
Maybe it gives me the strength
to think about all those things.
Maybe.
Oh!
The pastitsio!
[sighs]
[gentle piano music playing]
Good morning.
How do you feel today?
[Klelia inhales]
[sighs]
Pretty weird.
No, that's not it.
I feel good.
I don't know, I guess both.
You don't need to know. The first time always feels awkward.
I suppose so.
You didn't do anything wrong, you know? You're amazing.
[whispers] Klelia,
I know that this was very important for you.
And I hope it was like you had always dreamt it.
I really like you.
Where have you been?
At Thanos'.
Good morning.
- Grandma, please go. - [Haris] I've decided.
I'm coming to the music class
and I'm also going to sing at that festival.
At least, I'll try to sing.
I don't want you to come. I don't care about the festival.
Can we be honest here?
No, I want you to leave.
Don't try to figure out who's made the most mistakes between us, okay?
That would be me.
Then your mother, and now it's you who's starting your life.
Your mother has already lost the game, and of course it's my fault.
And if you're really looking for someone to hate on, hate me.
I'll keep that in mind. Can you go now?
Of course I will not put your future and your life at risk for mistakes
that all the rest of us are responsible for, Klelia.
You will go to Athens,
you will go to college, and you will build your life
the way you truly want to live it.
Far away from this island, you got it?
You're all pathetic.
And very miserable.
You'll keep creating mistakes as long as you hate us.
- That's a rule to know. - Give me a break, Grandma.
Go lecture someone else.
The world we live in isn't that pretty, dear.
It's so unfair and cruel.
Only those with imagination can survive.
And you have plenty of that.
Thank you, okay, I feel much better now.
You are beautiful, you're talented, you're in love,
you have your whole life ahead of you.
What are you worrying about?
Live your life and stop bothering yourself with our problems.
We're lost causes anyway. Believe me, it will only do you good.
- Where did you stay last night? - At Thanos' house.
Stop it.
And here's me, trying to be strict.
[sighs] You've lost it.
So did it happen?
So it's Thanos you're in love with then?
No.
You know who it is.
[door slams shut]
Hm.
[piano music playing]
[in Greek] ♪ Give me a frontier To walk upon ♪
[in English] I don't like what I'm doing at all.
I changed my mind.
Do you think we should try a different melody?
You really think that's my problem?
I haven't sung a word in 50 years.
No more.
We're just trying stuff out.
If we don't like it, we'll change it.
Come on.
[in Greek] ♪ Give me a frontier to... ♪
[in English] I don't hear my voice, that's not the voice that I know.
Miss Haris, it is you.
It's just different.
I had one love. [chuckles softly]
And all I did was abandon it.
It was my voice, and she left me.
I deserved it.
Do you understand what scares me?
Seeing how wrong I was.
["Prosefchi" by Haris Alexiou playing]
Everything will be fine.
From the top.
[in Greek] ♪ Give me a frontier To walk upon ♪
♪ Give me a name so I won't get lost ♪
♪ Give me a dream to hold on to ♪
♪ Give me a vision so I can resist ♪
♪ Give me a frontier to walk upon ♪
♪ Give me a name so I won't get lost ♪
♪ Give me a dream to hold on to ♪
♪ Give me a vision so I can resist ♪
♪ Give me a child to confess to ♪
♪ Give me a kiss To wash away what's wrong ♪
♪ Wake me in the morning with a purpose ♪
♪ Saying that my life has worth ♪
[applause]
[in English] Bravo.
[gentle ominous music playing]
[knocks on door]
[sighs]
[knocks on door]
I missed you.
I can't stand it.
Me too.
What are we doing?
We'll get out of it, I promise.
I just need time.
You're the best thing that's happened to me.
[heavy breathing]
[car engine starts]
Are they not coming again?
No.
They're still very angry with us.
Give them some time.
Sofia, what do I do?
We're losing our kids.
It's a bit late for that, Fanis.
Will you help me?
Can you get us out of this?
I'm trying
but that asshole, Charalambos, isn't making it easy.
That man shouldn't be alive.
[Maria] We are parents who have lost the game.
Two families who have pushed their children away
and can't find a way to bring them back,
nor the courage to admit it.
I'd have done the same.
If I were them,
I would get angry, I'd leave,
I'd do anything I could to hurt them.
[phone vibrating]
[grunts]
Yes?
[dramatic ominous music playing]
Did the teacher talk to you about coming to the school?
- Yeah, I'm not interested. - Why not?
Because.
You've no idea how nice it is.
And they really need your help too.
Spyros, it can only do you good.
Tell me, why would it be good for me?
Because you're like a wild beast.
Get off my case, Mom.
Would you like us to talk more?
And say what?
Whatever's bothering you.
You know my problems.
What about yours?
Your issues are now my issues.
And it's your fault. I never asked for it.
You are right, Spyros.
I really am sorry.
And I promise you that
I will find a way to rid you of it.
Hope so.
Um...
I'm talking about your life, sweetheart.
Your love life.
[somber music playing]
What's wrong with my love life? You mean Yianna?
Is she the one?
Totally. Why?
[sighs] 'Cause, Spyros.
If you ever find you're needing, um,
something else, just know that
I'm here for you.
Why did you bring this up?
- It's nothing. - Bullshit.
My life with Yianna is great right now. It isn't any of your business.
Look, I'm sorry, Spyros.
But if you ever want to, um,
look for something else, I'm here.
Mom, I'm going to be with Yianna, like it or not. Do you understand me?
Understood.
["Diastimoploio" by Sma Rag Da playing]
YOU HAVE AN INVITATION TO AN EVENT ELECTRONIC MUSIC PARTY EDM - CORFU
ELECTRONIC MUSIC PARTY EDM LOCATION: CORFU - SECRET LOCATION, DM US!
GOING
Here. Thank you.
THE GREAT CHIMERA
[Orestis] Did you like it?
It's heart-wrenching.
I never said it was going to be a happy story.
Sorry, I was just getting ready. Uh, come on upstairs.
Going somewhere?
Yeah.
Meeting with the symphony orchestra.
You can take the boat.
I see.
Uh, tell me then, why didn't you like The Great Chimera?
I never said that.
But it made me sad.
Okay. What was sad about it?
There was no difference between love and death.
They are both close by nature.
I guess there should be a happy nature to love though.
Not always.
It's so typical that everybody's trapped.
It happens.
No.
Some people just lie to themselves.
Why would they do that?
They're afraid.
What are you wondering?
Oh, I'm not wondering.
I disagree. And I'm confused.
How long will you be in Corfu for?
If you liked the book, I can get you the other two in the trilogy,
Junkermann and Colonel Liapkin.
Yeah, I'd like that.
Thanks a lot.
Are you leaving early?
Yeah.
Okay.
Goodnight.
Wait.
Keep it. For you.
Thank you.
- Goodbye. - Bye.
[sighs]
["Traction" by Christian Smith playing]
- How are you doing, Antonis? - I'm sad and depressed.
Can I do something to help you?
Is this a tactic to get what you want?
I need a favor from you, but I also care.
Why don't you go ask your boyfriend over there?
Will you cover for me?
Everyone must think I'm with Thanos for a couple days.
Why is that, Klelia?
I'd like Thanos to think that I'm at home.
- Where are you going? - Corfu.
Masterful. So you want everyone imprisoned,
so you'll be the only one left.
- He doesn't know I'm going. - Perfect, Dad'll love that.
Can you cover, please?
[sighs] I gotta know where you're staying
- and you need to text me every five hours. - Okay.
- If they push, I'll tell them everything. - Okay. Love you.
- I see you're a snake. - I am.
[inaudible dialogue]
[boat horn honks]
[violins sound]
[horns sound]
["Grand Hotel" by Hollywood Film Music Orchestra playing]
Where did you tell your parents you were going?
They think I'm with Thanos.
We have a lot of problems at home
and they won't bother looking. Are you afraid?
Yeah. Where are you going to stay?
My friend's. And I'm going to a party.
- What party? - EDM.
They organize them online.
So what is EDM?
You're a musician and you don't know EDM?
- No. - [laughs]
Electronic Dance Music.
A lot of the events are planned in secret,
but I've been to a few of these parties before.
I didn't know that.
So you forget how we first met?
You're right.
[inhales]
I'm going to take the boat home tomorrow.
You don't have any friends here, do you?
I've got lots of them, online.
Listen to me, I don't need a dad.
And Thanos and I are very happy.
- Why isn't Thanos here? - I wanted to be here with you.
[inhales]
In all Karagatsis' books, the heroes are foreign.
They try to adjust to reality in Greece after leaving their country behind them,
and fall in love.
And they do?
No.
I'd like to know where you'll be staying.
What era are you from and how conservative can you be?
Very.
[laughs]
Shall we?
[sighs] Let's go.
[phone message tone sounds]
SISTER - ALL IS WELL
- [knock on door] - I'm sleeping.
- Aren't you going out tonight? - I said, I'm sleeping.
What are you reading?
[somber music playing]
Do you think we'll eventually, um,
be able to sit around the same table as a family once again?
Your mother and I really want that.
That's all you have to say to me?
After all you've learned about your son, that's it?
Where's your sister?
I dropped her off at Thanos' a while ago.
She'll probably sleep there.
Good night.
["Once Upon A Time In The Words" by Kostas Christides playing]
- It's a little unfair though. - What?
People judge another person only by their face or by their voice,
their style, the place they make their home.
It's true.
- You look at me. - Mm.
Know me to be a nice girl,
completely stuck in her ways, 'cause she's right.
Or people think, look how pretty she is, and dumb.
Why is that a bad thing? I don't understand the problem.
I'm more than a girl who's come all this way
just to come after you.
At least give me that.
You seem like you don't know how hard it is for me to see you so nonchalant?
It puts me under a lot of pressure. Hm?
Are you scared of it?
Mm, I don't know. Maybe.
I've forgotten the fearlessness and ease you can have being so young.
Hm.
Ever think that you're gay?
That would be better for you.
- I would not mind that. - Mm.
- I'm sure. - [laughs]
You're one of those women who...
who will do anything to get what they want. Hm?
Even if they've been denied.
You know how much of a buzzkill that is? At least for me.
You can go straight to the hotel from here.
Don't tell me you're going to that party.
Yeah. Come If you want to.
- What do you not get? - It's you. What's your problem?
I want to go listen to some music. Come, if you'd like.
[sighs]
Hey, so, is it possible to get just one more in tonight?
[EDM beats playing]
Yeah, sure, come in.
["Attack Slowly" by Flemy Ferrer playing]
♪ Don't tell me what to do ♪
♪ What to do, what to do, what to do ♪
♪ What, what, what, what, what... ♪
♪ I just can't lose ♪
♪ Don't tell me what to do ♪
♪ What, what ♪
♪ So don't make me choose ♪
♪ I don't want to talk to you ♪
♪ Let's not confuse ♪
♪ I'm tripping over you ♪
♪ What, what ♪
♪ But I can't refuse ♪
♪ I don't know if it's true ♪
♪ But I don't want, want, want ♪
♪ What, what ♪
Alright, can we go now?
You need to relax already!
How long has it been since you had a time like this?
- Klelia, please. - [laughs]
Come on!
♪ What, what ♪
♪ Don't tell me what What, what, what to do ♪
♪ What to do ♪
♪ What, what ♪
♪ I just can't lose ♪
♪ Don't tell me what to do ♪
♪ So don't make me choose ♪
♪ I don't want to talk to you ♪
♪ Let's not... ♪
["I Need To" by FETISH playing]
♪ I need to... ♪
[inaudible dialogue]
♪ I need to... ♪
[sighs]
- Sorry about before. - It's not a problem.
Why did you wait?
I'm okay.
I'm the one who's sorry. I'm going to bed.
[somber music playing]
[knocking on door]
Hi, Mr. Fanis.
- Morning, Thanos. What is it? - Klelia?
I've been calling her but she's not answered, so I was worried.
Ah, um,
I asked her to run some errands downtown and she left her cellphone here.
Mm, okay. I just thought I'd drop by to see if...
- Thanks a lot. - Nice of you.
- Will you tell her I dropped by, yeah? - Of course.
Listen, you know how absent-minded she gets.
Yeah.
[shuts door]
[ominous music playing]
[chewing gum]
[door unlocks]
Hello.
I'm Yianna, Mr. Charalambos.
Spyros wasn't here, so Miss Maria let me in.
Yes, I know you.
Where is my wife?
She went around the back to get me something.
[ominous music playing]
My, how you've grown.
A beautiful woman.
Spyro's lucky.
- How long have you two been together? - Since last year, uh...
Is he being nice to you?
Of course.
It was in the storage but I found it, Yianna.
Tell your mother...
[ominous music playing]
...I had forgotten.
Spyros isn't home yet?
What did you forget?
A jug of oil I'd promised Tasia.
- Where's Spyros? - We're still waiting for him.
Better run along, Yianna, dear. He'll call you when he gets home.
Great, thank you.
Goodbye.
That Yianna's a very nice girl, you know.
You just saw her recently.
I was figuring out if they're really together.
You know that they are.
And you know what I mean.
And that's all?
What else?
Charalambos?
If you dare ever touch that girl
or put your hands on my son ever again,
I will kill you.
Do you hear me?
I will kill you.
[slaps]
If Charalambos died,
maybe my child's life would get better.
I'd feel utterly free.
A burden would be lifted.
I got used to that burden.
I would seek it out.
I asked for help so many times. No one gave it to me.
Am I as weak as everyone says?
All these people who shake their finger at me?
No.
[unsettling violin music playing]
A proper dish needs to be prepared in the right way and it takes time.
Everything needs time.