From Jeff Nelson

Zacharias Mavroeidis’ The Summer with Carmen is a breath of fresh Greek summer air that challenges long-standing LGBTQ media stereotypes with a delightful sense of retrospection. There’s no shortage of lust and relationship drama, but the platonic friendship at the center is irresistibly electric.

Best friends Demosthenes (Yorgos Tsiantoulas) and Nikitas (Andreas Labropoulos) spend the day at a queer Athens nude beach, where they enjoy the sun-kissed rocks, the beautiful water, and the people watching. Meanwhile, they discuss their memories of a recent summer and debate turning it into a screenplay for Nikitas’ feature debut. 

Mavroeidis and Fondas Chalatsis’ screenplay brings a playful quality to the screen, listing out the “golden rules of screenwriting” in a meta exploration of storytelling. Demosthenes and Nikitas try to configure plot points from real-life situations, struggling to find where to start the film and how to operate under the producer’s parameters. However, life doesn’t operate within boxes, which is further proven by the pair’s day at the beach and their memories of a not-so-distant summer.

Demosthenes wrestles with his emotions after he broke up with his now ex-boyfriend, Panos (Nikolaos Mihas), although he refuses to admit that he isn’t entirely done with the relationship. Panos takes in an abandoned dog named Carmen, which ultimately lands the dog in Demosthenes’ lap. His priorities continue to shift between casual hookups and his other commitments, causing an imbalance that tests his friendship with Nikitas, his creativity, and his relationship with his family.

The Summer with Carmen isn’t a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it weaves in funny moments, characterizations, and awkward interactions that always come from a genuine place. Demosthenes juggles so many connections simultaneously that some of these relationships beg for more time to breathe, especially with his family. However, there’s no question that his friendship with Nikitas shines at the core, where the banter feels natural. The other half to this film’s heart is the adorable Carmen, who also can’t seem to find comfort in a permanent home, ultimately holding a mirror to Demosthenes’ greatest insecurities. 

Some of the meta storytelling elements don’t work as well, where conversations surrounding the art of screenwriting aren’t as engaging as Demosthenes’ journey in discovering what’s actually most important in life. Sex is an important part of this expedition, which forces him to confront his future and what he truly wants out of life. 

Tsiantoulas is utterly endearing as Demosthenes, putting the character’s defensiveness at the forefront, while allowing the character’s vulnerabilities to show underneath it all. He shares marvelous chemistry with Labropoulos, crafting a magnetic friendship that we grow fonder of the more they interact. Cinema could use more platonic gay friendships that are as tender and sincere as this.

Demosthenes and Nikitas discuss making a film that is unapologetically gay and alluring, which is exactly what Mavroeidis achieves here. It’s a little slight, but it’s a light and enjoyable film. The Summer with Carmen is a delightfully sexy and charming comedy that envelops you in a warm embrace. 

Rating: 3/5

The Summer with Carmen played AFI Fest 2023 on October 26th, 2023.

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