Scene 1.
Estuary of a great river in the gulf of Thessaloniki...
around 1919.
A light mist wafts slowly over the muddy earth...
that extends as far as the eye can see, bare as a steppe...
A crowd of people appears, walking slowly...
holding bundles and suitcases.
Their clothes, worn and dusty, betray an old nobility.
A man of around 40 leads the way, with his wife...
a sickly woman. .. and between them, two small children...
their son, a boy not more than 5 years old...
and a little girl, barely more than a baby.
Every so often the little girl reaches out dazedly. ..
For the boy's hand.
As they approach the river, the mass of humanity stops abruptly
as though someone on the opposite bank...
shouted to them.
Hey! Who are you?
Where are you from?
We're Greeks.
Refugees from Odessa...
The boats brought us out in Thessaloniki.
We were quarantined for one month in the port...
eating out of cans...
Then the authorities separated us.
They told us to go east.
You'll come to an ancient column and a river...
From the column to the river the land is yours.
The Bolshevik revolution was spreading everywhere...
The Red Cavalry galloped...
the foreigners were fleeing...
The city's Greek community emptied.
We were the last ones left.
The Consul shouted:
Don't you realise you're in danger?
And as though reliving a nightmare the man begins to describe
the flight of the Greeks from Odessa...
when on Saint Stefan's Day, the Red Army entered the city.
As they left on the last ship, they could still hear...
cries of desperation, names in the wind, gunfire.
Then the man said:
"A cloud of smoke rose...
and the beloved city disappeared
The little girl still searched for the boy's hand.
The little girl next to my son isn't ours...
We found her crying in the turmoil...
over her mother's body, on Pushkin Avenue...
if you've heard of it...
What's your name?
Eleni.
TRILOGY The Weeping Meadow
a film by Theo Angelopoulos
Eleni's back!
- How do you feel, little one? - Better, Auntie.
- Danae! Finally! - I'll tell you everything.
- Unbelievable! And the twins? - Adoption. I'll tell you later.
Eleni...
I brought your books.
Are you feeling better?
I'm thirsty.
Most of our people, those who were unable to endure life...
here on the river and went back to Thessaloniki...
are now leaving again. America, Australia, Athens...
This land is killing us. We should have left too in '22...
when those peasants came from the Orient...
Your brother Spyros wouldn't hear of it, Cassandra.
Danae, the girl's delirious...
If Spyros found out anything, he'd kill her.
It's pointless. The girl's not of our blood.
Have you spoken to your son?
- He's in a daze. - Of course! After what he did!
Couldn't you have prevented it?
By the time I found out, it was too late.
Good thing I came up with that story about her being sick...
and took her to my sister in Thessaloniki...
for the last months...
Then we found that good woman.
You know her husband's a merchant. Childless.
No, no, the twins are in good hands.
Spyros!
And your son, behind his father as though nothing happened.
Hello, brother!
Eleni!
- Eleni! - I was expecting you.
I was in the cellar, behind a door.
I heard my mother and the women whispering.
My head buzzed.
- Does it hurt? - Not any more.
I didn't know what to do while you were gone...
I'd go down to the river and look at the water.
Remember we used to say we'd follow the river...
to find the source?
I wrote you a letter.
Eleni...
I want to say that...
you know... I care a lot about you.
Eleni!
The bride has gone!
Hallelujah!
Eleni!
Hallelujah!
Oh Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance...
To our Rulers grant victories over the barbarians...
and by thy Cross protect thine own Estate.
The bride has gone!
Spyros!
Eleni wasn't for you!
She was raised like your daughter.
This marriage was not appropriate for you.
Poor Spyros. Ever since Danae died in the great epidemic...
he's been eaten up by loneliness.
He yearned for the girl.
I stood behind her in the church...
The wedding ceremony ended. The priest said "Amen"...
and suddenly I saw her turn around...
Her face shone pale like the Virgin.
She said to Spyros: "I've forgotten something"...
And she ran out...
I ran after her.
I managed to see her lift the skirt of her wedding dress...
and disappear down the road leading to the river.
A car!
The whole village is looking for you.
Was it you playing the accordion all night?
Where are you going?
Spyros!
A boy has come from the river.
Our brothers want you to go there.
Spyros!
Thanks! So long!
Come along!
Hell, you've got to spend the night somewhere!
Don't be scared!
You're under the protection of a fiddle...
a guitar, a clarinet and a noisy fourth instrument!
- Good night. - Good night.
- I'm sorry it didn't happen. - Good night, Nikos.
Good night.
"Thessaloniki, city of refugees."
Isn't that what they call it?
A wound that will not heal.
This theatre is my home.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
This is where the authorities brought us in early '22...
after the destruction of Smyrna.
The courtyard of miracles.
85 families.
Good evening, Amy.
I'm having no luck with this game of solitaire.
Courage !
Our good girl.
- Good evening, Irini. - Good evening, Nikos.
- I see you have company. - Good evening.
That prima donna you can hear singing has a sister.
She doesn't talk to me.
She prays.
She lies with the Book of Revelation in her hands...
open at the same chapter...
her finger pointing to the same passage...
and my mother asleep as always.
Good night, Mum.
My music will be in its place and the lamp lit as always.
"Nikos, the fiddler," as I'm known on the streets...
is also a graduate of the Smyrna Conservatory, but...
You'll stay here...
until you decide where you'll go, what you'll do.
Are you cold?
The women will take care of you.
As I said, kid. I heard you play.
That's gold you have in your hands. Don't bury it.
Good night.
- Good night. - Good night.
I still can't believe we're in a theatre!
M'! boys!
How many times have I said it?
Watch your posture. Body upright, back straight...
feet in front.
Keep your hands nicely poised over the keyboard.
Work together. Listen to each other.
You have the melody, Yorgos. Louder, more outgoing!
Always in secret... like a thief!
"And I heard a great voice out of the temple...
saying to the seven angels, 'Go your ways and...“
Hey, where did you disappear to?
We went for a walk downtown.
Good night.
Alright. We'll talk in the morning. The offer stands, kid.
- Good night. - Good night.
"And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth...
and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men...
which had the mark of the beast...
and upon them which worshipped his image
Eleni!
- What is it? - Nothing, mother. Go to sleep.
- What's going on, Nikos? - Nothing.
Eleni!
You can't stay here any longer.
Let's
I know you're here!
Come on!
Go to the neighbourhood with the sheets!
- The clothes we borrowed? - Go! Go!
Eleni!
I know you're here!
That woman you're holding in your arms, my son...
that's my wife!
You've shamed me.
I no longer have any pride or honour.
Everyone pities me.
I know you're here, goddamn you!
Eleni!
Eleni...
Are you awake?
Good morning, Costas.
Good morning, Mrs Coula.
The house next door flooded.
And I've got a leaky roof.
- Good morning. - Good morning. Just a minute.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- Did you sleep well last night? - It was a little difficult.
Christ, what a downpour that was... all night long.
We're late.
Katerina!
Katerina! I brought you the recipe.
- Good morning, Frosso. - What good morning!
I've been hanging clothes since the crack of dawn.
- Good morning. - 'Morning.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Welcome to the musicians' hangout.
D'you mind waiting here for a while?
Come along, my girl.
America!
You didn't answer me.
I sold a ring of my mother's.
What?
I couldn't see you in other people's clothes any more.
- What's the matter? - I don't know.
I feel strange... as though someone's watching us.
Father!
Zissis!
We're leaving!
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- An ouzo, boss! - Regular? Double?
- With this weather? Double! - Coming right up!
- Double. Dry. - Come on in, guys.
- 'Evening. - 'Evening.
Nikos, the fiddler. Nondas, the bouzouki player.
Achilles plays the toumbeleki.
It's not a great gig, guys... something on the fly...
but for want of anything better... How about it?
You need to ask? When do we leave?
Tonight. We'll just make the night train.
- So? What will it be? - We're out of here!
- An ouzo. - Coming right up.
Let's see now. What have we got?
Clarinet, toumbeleki, bouzouki, violin...
- and... - Accordion?
He's coming. If he agrees...
- Good evening. - Hello there, kid.
You wanted to see me?
I got us a gig-
We're missing an accordion player. How about it?
It won't be for long.
That way you can see if you've got what it takes.
I'm out of here. I've got to get ready.
I'd like it to be you.
You!
I can't forget that night when I heard you play...
for the first time.
- Good evening. - Hello there.
Nikos has proposed we go with him.
We were leaving anyway.
He came again last night and prowled around.
Goddammit!
Then a train went by and he disappeared.
As though it took him with it.
Nikos!
Closed!
- I've been had. - I'll go ask next door.
And now what do we do? What?
What do we do indeed?
Nikos, guys, the joint's closed. That's what they said.
Sorry, kid, your first road tour backfired.
I'm here because you said I've got gold in my hands.
We lost.
He said we lost...
but at least let's go back in style.
In style.
My hat!
I've lost my hat.
My hat! I've lost my hat!
I'm leaving.
I wouldn't want...
I wouldn't want to play in tavernas and at weddings.
That's not music.
We came from the Black Sea and Asia Minor seeking a homeland...
and they're carting us around here and there like animals!
They're turning this into a camp.
They're bringing army units from the south.
That's all we needed! A war!
Hello, guys.
- Where's the kid? - Upstairs.
Hey, kid!
Hello, guys. How's it going?
I'm listening.
Markos is looking for you. You know who he is.
He's putting together a band and wants an accordion player.
He heard about you.
- Markos? Me? - Yes.
I've been wanting to tell you for days but because Nikos...
you see, the fiddler has a soft spot for you...
I didn't want to and...
Come this afternoon so he can hear you play.
- OK? - OK.
I just came for you.
Markos...
Sit there and get ready.
Markos! He's here. What shall I tell him?
He's listening.
Markos asks what's that you're playing?
Something of mine.
Kid!
He asked me to tell you it's been a long time...
since he heard such a sound...
He's getting ready to go on tour in America...
to play for the Greeks there. What do you say? Interested?
America!
I think I'm dreaming!
America!
Don't get carried away.
It's not for tomorrow. It takes time.
Eleni!
Watch out!
Thanassis! What happened?
Long live the popular front!
General strike!
Would you like to dance?
I'm waiting for the boat.
Eleni!
- You thought I betrayed you? - Yes.
You really thought I betrayed you?
Yes.
How is that possible?
America!
Alexis!
Paulina! Wait!
Wait! Paulina!
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Hello.
Boys!
Boys! Come here!
Yannis... Yorgos... won't you say hello?
Won't you say hello?
He's angry“!-
They were hard times.
I don't know if you can understand that.
Maybe we do.
The other kids at school have a name.
What name do we have?
Eleni... your mother... and I thought...
we'd take you for a stroll.
I want to think about it.
He's angry“!-
Paulina! Wait!
Good evening.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
One coffee, easy on the sugar, please.
What a shame! He isn't here.
Is this the musicians' hangout?
That's right.
But no one's here now?
And what do musicians do here?
Musicians?
Musicians...
Musicians are spread out all around here...
and they wait.
Then some people come...
on the street we call them customers...
who own a taverna...
or are looking for a musician to play at some party...
They walk in front of each musician...
and cup their hand behind their ear...
as though they're saying: I'm listening. Play!
And they take their pick.
Someone picks a fiddler.
Another a clarinet player.
Another a guitarist...
And what do you do?
Me?
And you, Mum?
You called me "Mum," Yorgis?
The party organizations and trade unions who are fighting...
to defend the interests of the people have decided...
to form a popular front.
Comrades! Comrades!
Only if workers rally and fight under the flag...
of the popular front will the people's demands be met.
The popular front calls on all the antifascist...
Nikos! I had to tell you.
- Markos asked for me. - So I heard.
Good morning.
I knew you'd leave some day. You're special.
Guys! The gendarmes!
Let's
Guys! The gendarmes!
This way!
Everyone's afraid the General will stage a coup...
with the King's consent... and no one's talking.
Days of 36... dark nights...
I miss you, kid.
I said cut it out. I'm thinking.
Nikos, the dance... it looks like it can't happen.
What do we do? Shall we break it up?
I'm bringing the drinks and I'm not asking!
What's going on, you guys? People got tired of waiting.
They all went home. It's deserted out there.
- Can't you see? - What are we supposed to do?
The old beer hall.
That's where we'll hold the dance!
I just thought of it! In the old beer hall!
- In that old dump? - So what?
Wine we've got. Music we've got.
And there's that old piano there.
You go out there and tell them.
OK.
I will.
Saxophone!
I'm someone condemned to creating in the mud!
The tavernas don't want us.
They're afraid of the police.
So we decided to hold the trade union dance...
in the old beer hall!
We'll have music!
And we'll have wine!
And we can sing without the wind carrying off our voices.
We're expecting you there!
There's a lot of people coming!
Music!
Get chairs!
Chairs, guys!
It's nothing...
a friend turned informer!
The strike will take place!
Music!
I heard...
that this kid can make even the trees dance.
I want him to play for me.
He knows what.
Music!
I killed him.
Father's sheep.
- What is it? - I hear voices.
The basement's flooded.
The village is drowning in the river.
There are boats floating in the square.
What shall we do?
Hey!
A boat!
For the love of God. I have children!
A boat!
There's a boat waiting downstairs, under the balcony.
I don't know who sent it.
Wake the boys!
Boys! Wake up! Let's go!
- Where are we going? - We're leaving, we're leaving.
Eleni!
Omnipotent, dark curse that has yet to run its course...
Nikos!
What we were afraid of, kid, it's happened.
Our feeble democracy committed suicide.
Fascism is spreading over the skies of Europe.
They've arrested all the guys from the union.
I've nowhere to go.
Onward for a new Greece! Onward with a Greek heart!
Onward proudly, bravely with the boys of Greece!
Falangists!
Onward, for our past glory in time will live again!
When I woke up and didn't see you beside me, I was afraid.
I wanted to look at the sea.
It's your first day outside.
I longed for this day.
All these months I went and saw the children every day.
All this time you were silent...
I trembled at the thought of losing you...
So much happened.
I was suffocating.
Nikos!
I hid him for as long as I could!
- You're here, kid? - I'm here.
I wanted to say goodbye to you too.
- Third whistle, Markos. - We're leaving.
Leave a boat for the kid. He might still make it.
We're leaving.
Have a good journey!
Write to us!
Take care of yourselves!
Have a good journey!
They left!
Markos and the others left. There's a boat waiting for you.
Don't be mad at me, Yorgis.
Is America far away?
Yannis, Yorgis...
You take care of your mum.
I didn't have time to finish it.
New York, 5 March 1937.
My little Eleni...
We arrived in America with our hearts in our mouths...
after facing danger a thousand times on the ocean.
At Ellis Island, they put us through a fine sieve...
Disinfections, humiliation...
Slowly, tortuously, everything was done in darkness.
I woke up in a dirty room that smelled of vomit.
Markos was snoring next to me. This is America?
We began playing in some dive,
but dissension soon set in among the band.
There is no progress on the papers for you and the kids.
My aunt won't even hear of it.
I found an old Italian teacher to give me piano lessons...
to forget the ocean that separates us...
Eleni!
Who is it?
Who's there?
My children!
Our soldiers march on with a smile on their lips!
You idiot, Mussolini, you'll have no one left...
When we march into Rome itself we'll raise the Greek flag!
Astoria, New York. 30 October 1940.
We heard the news here. I cried.
I had hoped the war wouldn't spread to our land.
Will our country hold out?
The Nazi war machine follows Mussolini with iron steps.
I decided to enlist in the American army.
It's the only way I can become a citizen and bring you here.
But when? When?
America still hasn't entered the war, but it won't be long.
I'm afraid of the dark days to come.
Write to me. Write to me.
I am sickened at the thought...
that this might be the last letter to reach you.
Where are you taking me now?
You're getting out.
You've got a son who is a soldier, right?
I was notified by the army command...
you're to go by there, today even, for news of him.
What are you trying to say?
I heard you're from a border village...
that was lost years ago in a flood.
What are you trying to say?
There's also a letter that came for you from America.
It took 4 years to get here.
It was found near the body of a dead American soldier...
after the last battle in the Pacific.
Ladies, the sad duty of greeting you has fallen to me.
Your husbands, brothers, sons, lie behind you...
on the field of honour.
My boy!
My Son!
Yannis!
MY Son!
No!
Don't sleep! Wake up!
Wake up, sweetheart!
Wake up, my Yannis, for your mother!
I was cleaning the commander's office...
when the soldiers brought her in.
I never expected to see her again after so many years.
You treated her unjustly then.
I know. It's been weighing on me.
I'll go get some water.
Guard...
I have no water...
I have no soap...
I have no paper to write to my children...
The uniforms change...
You wear gray, guard...
Guard, you wear black.
My name is Eleni.
I'm here for harbouring an insurgent.
Where are you taking me now?
Guard...
I have no water...
I have no soap...
I have no paper to write to my children...
The uniforms change...
The Germans wear green...
Are you German, guard?
My name is Eleni.
I'm here for harbouring an insurgent.
Where are you taking me now?
I was there too, in December of '44, in the square...
where people were celebrating the liberation.
Where are you taking me now?
The uniforms change.
Are you English, guard?
How much does a bullet cost?
How much does blood?
All uniforms are the same, guard...
Guard...
I have no water...
I have no soap...
I have no paper to write to my children...
Where are you taking me now?
My name is Eleni.
I'm here for hiding a wounded guerrilla...
Guard...
I'm in exile...
I'm a refugee and exiled from everywhere.
A three-year-old girl crying on the quay...
I have no water...
I have no soap...
I have no paper to write to my children...
She's fallen asleep. You go. I'll stay.
Damn civil war.
You had two sons, my girl.
What did you say?
You had two sons.
What are you saying?
Yes, ma'am.
What are you saying?
Keep your head down. This is a forbidden zone.
Keep your head down!
This is where the battle took place.
The army on this side...
and the guerrillas on the other side of the embankment.
I'm looking for Yorgis!
I'm looking for Captain Yorgis!
Who wants me?
Don't you recognise me?
I'm Yannis, your brother.
The war, Yannis.
The war's changed us.
It's Mum, Yorgis. We've lost our mum.
They found her huddled up in the cell.
Ah, Yorgis!
Ah, Yannis!
They parted and the battle continued.
AH the guerrillas that escaped disappeared across the border.
Your other son, ma'am, lies over there...
in the ruins of that big house.
Where are you going? There are patrols!
March 1945, Kerama islands.
American base in the Pacific, 25 miles west of Okinawa.
My Eleni,
I've had your letter of 1 December 1944 in my pocket since yesterday...
It's a miracle it even got here...
after so many months of going around the world.
I laugh and cry.
Thank God you are well and our country is now free.
I celebrated by getting drunk alone in my tent.
You complain I've forgotten you. How could that be?
AH these years not a moment has gone by...
when I haven't thought of you.
We're here in these strange islands,
in the mud of a yellow river,
rotting with our guns in our hands, day in and day out...
60,000 commandos, 60,000 men about to die...
waiting to ship out for the hell named Okinawa.
Last night I dreamed that we set off together...
to find the source of the river.
An old man led the way.
As we walked on, the river became smaller...
and broke up into a thousand small streams...
Suddenly, high above under the snow-capped peaks...
the old man showed us a piece of land with wild grass...
in a shady and damp place.
Every blade of grass held little drops of dew...
that fell every so often on the soft earth.
"This meadow," said the old man, "is the source of the river."
You reached out and touched the wet grass...
and when you raised your hand a few drops rolled down...
and fell on the earth like tears...
My Yorgis!
My boy!
My sweet boy!
Get up, my Yorgis!
I don't have anybody any more.
Nobody to think of.
Nobody to wait for at night.
Nobody to love.
You were him...
and you were you.
You were him...
and you were you.
Translated by Elly Petrides