1 00:00:21,233 --> 00:00:22,974 LONDON, UK 1950 2 00:00:23,045 --> 00:00:25,475 You invited me here to talk... 3 00:00:25,676 --> 00:00:30,866 about the poet Constantine Kavafis 4 00:00:32,744 --> 00:00:35,233 I'll begin by reading these lines ... 5 00:00:35,268 --> 00:00:37,648 from one of his poems in the language 6 00:00:38,583 --> 00:00:41,048 in which he wrote it. 7 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:43,100 Poem: In 200 b.C. 8 00:00:43,101 --> 00:00:47,954 We; the Greeks of Alexandria, of Antioch, of Seleucia and ..... 9 00:00:48,355 --> 00:00:54,048 the numerous rest of the Greeks of Egypt and Syria.... 10 00:00:54,349 --> 00:00:59,886 And the Common Greek Language we carried to the heart of Bactria... 11 00:00:59,887 --> 00:01:03,888 ......to the Hindus 12 00:01:04,489 --> 00:01:11,388 We emerged; a great new Greek world. A great world ! 13 00:01:16,388 --> 00:01:20,473 CONSTANTINE KAVAFIS (Greek Poet 1863 - 1933) 14 00:01:22,285 --> 00:01:25,688 Starring: Dimitris Kataleifos 15 00:01:28,126 --> 00:01:31,461 Vasilis Diamantopoulos 16 00:01:34,834 --> 00:01:37,952 Maya Lyberopoulou 17 00:01:40,346 --> 00:01:44,542 Lazar Georgakopoulos, Alexander Koukos, Vasilis Seimenis 18 00:02:38,607 --> 00:02:42,671 Costumes Damian Zarifis 19 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,035 Music by Vaghelis 20 00:03:05,389 --> 00:03:09,849 Writer - Director Yannis Smaragdis 21 00:03:41,164 --> 00:03:45,213 Alexandria, Egypt 29/April/1933 22 00:03:46,967 --> 00:03:49,786 You have a visitor 23 00:04:22,229 --> 00:04:24,885 At last, Europe begins to appreciate your work 24 00:04:33,121 --> 00:04:36,274 Kavafis is a modern poet 25 00:04:36,503 --> 00:04:39,612 A poet of future generations 26 00:04:39,890 --> 00:04:41,956 The rare poets, like Kavafis.... 27 00:04:42,227 --> 00:04:44,697 will occupy first place in a world.. 28 00:04:44,932 --> 00:04:48,097 much more spiritual than ours today 29 00:04:52,194 --> 00:04:55,195 "" Draft notes on the Life and Work of K. P. Kavafis "" 30 00:05:10,987 --> 00:05:13,897 I brought the notes that I promised you, for the Preface 31 00:05:17,585 --> 00:05:20,635 For any errors and omissions, could you....? 32 00:05:30,342 --> 00:05:33,723 Alexandria, a hospitable trade center of Egypt.... 33 00:05:34,692 --> 00:05:40,669 gave birth on 29/April/1863 to the Greek poet Constantine Kavafis 34 00:05:42,491 --> 00:05:45,135 The Kavafis family was rich.... 35 00:05:45,350 --> 00:05:52,092 His parents were Peter John, a merchant and Hariklia Kavafis nee Fotiadis 36 00:05:56,274 --> 00:06:01,120 Poem: I've brought to Art I've brought to Art desires.... 37 00:06:01,421 --> 00:06:04,178 .......and sensations 38 00:06:06,280 --> 00:06:15,297 I've brought to Art things half-glimpsed, faces or lines 39 00:06:16,238 --> 00:06:22,988 ...certain indistinct memories of unfullfilled love affairs 40 00:06:23,202 --> 00:06:27,960 Let me submit to Art 41 00:06:30,295 --> 00:06:34,351 My youngest one, my little honey 42 00:06:55,556 --> 00:06:58,810 Let's make s short stop. The boys are thirsty 43 00:07:01,891 --> 00:07:07,582 Alexandria, 1871 44 00:07:57,494 --> 00:08:02,215 Poem: When they are roused Try to guard them, poet 45 00:08:02,354 --> 00:08:06,403 However few they are that can be held 46 00:08:08,038 --> 00:08:12,412 Hair as though stolen from Greek statues, 47 00:08:14,036 --> 00:08:18,567 always lovely, even uncombed 48 00:08:18,967 --> 00:08:25,263 and falling slightly over pale foreheads 49 00:08:27,412 --> 00:08:33,348 Figures of love, as my poetry desired them 50 00:08:35,442 --> 00:08:37,536 Constantine ! ? 51 00:08:38,980 --> 00:08:42,307 Come ! We still have a long way to go.... 52 00:09:00,185 --> 00:09:03,196 Sham el Nessim is the Egyptian Spring Festival 53 00:09:03,197 --> 00:09:06,023 something like our Ash Wednesday 54 00:09:06,830 --> 00:09:10,967 At the local Fair, we' ll see African girls dancing naked 55 00:09:14,203 --> 00:09:16,422 Why are you silent ? 56 00:09:16,933 --> 00:09:20,049 How can you be so secretive ? 57 00:09:21,424 --> 00:09:24,853 There is a gap in narration here 58 00:09:25,182 --> 00:09:28,837 Could you talk to me about your youth ? 59 00:09:30,278 --> 00:09:34,498 Or write about it, perhaps ? 60 00:09:47,057 --> 00:09:50,028 Tennyson's poem was very touching. Barrell's biography was entertaining... 61 00:09:50,129 --> 00:09:52,723 a masterpiece, like a novel by Alexander Dumas as you said 62 00:09:52,724 --> 00:09:54,958 your beloved Shakespeare was a bit tiresome 63 00:09:55,121 --> 00:09:58,188 as for McCauley, you will lend him to me again during the vacations 64 00:09:59,259 --> 00:10:03,321 But here you are.....something better than the pages you bury yourself in 65 00:10:05,198 --> 00:10:07,718 Only, don't let our mothers find out ! 66 00:10:07,819 --> 00:10:10,133 Let's go to your room 67 00:10:10,158 --> 00:10:13,439 Mike....... the waltz that you promised me ! 68 00:10:24,747 --> 00:10:26,858 Constantine ! 69 00:10:47,452 --> 00:10:50,468 Isn't my partner having any fun...? 70 00:12:16,364 --> 00:12:19,019 The Arabs have revolted, burning shops and houses 71 00:12:19,220 --> 00:12:22,396 They are going to take over the Cityhall (= 1882 AD) 72 00:12:34,747 --> 00:12:36,790 Have you found a coach ? (carriage) 73 00:12:36,791 --> 00:12:39,357 My uncle will take you to port for 20 Lira 74 00:12:39,458 --> 00:12:43,121 OK OK take these out.....out. 75 00:12:55,802 --> 00:12:59,187 OK mother, we did it. Holders of British passports may leave. 76 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:02,323 We'll sail with the ship "Castore" 77 00:13:03,014 --> 00:13:06,100 Something is screaming inside my head 78 00:13:25,249 --> 00:13:27,327 Quickly ! 79 00:13:41,305 --> 00:13:46,335 Constantine ! Hurry up ! 80 00:13:50,117 --> 00:13:52,307 I'll miss you.... 81 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:39,191 Constantinople, 1882 82 00:14:59,732 --> 00:15:01,829 My dear grandson..... 83 00:15:05,979 --> 00:15:08,235 What have I promised you ....? 84 00:15:24,409 --> 00:15:27,083 Turn it over, on the other side 85 00:15:34,291 --> 00:15:37,181 Your family tree 86 00:15:37,789 --> 00:15:41,553 It starts here.....15th century AD Five centuries ago ! 87 00:15:41,831 --> 00:15:45,573 After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, at the Armenian-Iranian border (=1453) 88 00:15:45,651 --> 00:15:49,092 The Kavafis family were always at the periphery (border), never in the Center 89 00:15:49,420 --> 00:15:52,959 This is your great-grandfather John, 1701 - 1762 AD 90 00:15:53,779 --> 00:15:57,784 He was governor of the city of Iasi in Moldova, a periphery (border) 91 00:15:58,348 --> 00:16:00,269 Then, here..... 92 00:16:00,828 --> 00:16:04,995 George Kavafis 1745 - 1792 93 00:16:04,996 --> 00:16:09,143 Highpriest of the Church of Antioch, in the periphery again.... 94 00:16:10,029 --> 00:16:14,753 And myself, your grandfather George Fotiades from the island of Hios 95 00:16:15,537 --> 00:16:20,092 once upon a time, merchant of diamonds ! 96 00:16:22,069 --> 00:16:25,233 Your mother, the Center of everything ! 97 00:16:26,288 --> 00:16:28,009 Constantine ! 98 00:16:28,010 --> 00:16:32,288 Another family member, George, son of aunt Amalia 99 00:16:32,289 --> 00:16:36,091 George would like to take you out, to show you Istanbul 100 00:23:20,611 --> 00:23:27,932 He is an Apollo ! An Apollo ! (= Greek God of male Beauty) 101 00:24:38,239 --> 00:24:42,390 When the mother returned from Istanbul to Alexandria with Constantine... 102 00:24:42,691 --> 00:24:45,559 their homecity was not the same as when they had left.... 103 00:24:46,209 --> 00:24:48,594 but also the Kavafis family were not the same anymore.... 104 00:24:49,791 --> 00:24:52,641 they were living in a house at.... 105 00:26:18,133 --> 00:26:21,052 Typhus is rampant in Alexandria 106 00:26:21,913 --> 00:26:24,446 I am very sorry ! 107 00:26:58,899 --> 00:27:04,646 And all in war with time.... 108 00:27:06,782 --> 00:27:09,867 for love of you.... 109 00:27:11,546 --> 00:27:14,332 as he takes from you.... 110 00:27:14,691 --> 00:27:17,853 I engraft you new 111 00:27:17,854 --> 00:27:21,838 (Shakespeare Sonnet 15) 112 00:27:41,824 --> 00:27:46,658 Poem: Return Return often and take me beloved sensation 113 00:27:46,659 --> 00:27:49,910 return and take me ! 114 00:27:49,911 --> 00:27:53,288 when the memory of the body awakens 115 00:27:53,289 --> 00:27:57,607 and an old desire runs again through the blood 116 00:27:57,608 --> 00:28:02,079 when the lips and the skin remember 117 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:07,509 and the hands feel as if they touch again 118 00:28:07,609 --> 00:28:11,943 My Lord.......the Soul..... (=reads in Classic Greek) 119 00:28:16,174 --> 00:28:21,895 in the month of Athyr 120 00:28:23,457 --> 00:28:30,109 Lefkios...... went to sleep... 121 00:28:34,155 --> 00:28:44,289 Him....Our tears...Grief...Sorrow... 122 00:28:58,346 --> 00:29:01,123 I thought that.... 123 00:29:02,951 --> 00:29:06,331 our ancestors lived only to enjoy their pleasures... 124 00:29:07,145 --> 00:29:09,839 and not for their sorrows 125 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:08,703 Something is screaming inside my head 126 00:30:20,981 --> 00:30:25,038 - 100 English Pounds - 100 Pounds ? For all these ?? 127 00:30:33,708 --> 00:30:38,253 Life without money is a big nothing, my dear son 128 00:31:00,825 --> 00:31:02,310 As from today.... 129 00:31:02,411 --> 00:31:05,174 Mr Kavafis will also be working with us 130 00:31:05,175 --> 00:31:08,132 The gentleman is Greek 131 00:31:31,449 --> 00:31:33,600 Coming back to Alexandria.... 132 00:31:33,901 --> 00:31:39,039 the bankruptcy of the family, force Kavafis to go to work 133 00:31:39,980 --> 00:31:43,262 He's hired as an extra scribe at the Egyptian Irrigation Company 134 00:31:44,124 --> 00:31:47,023 He'll work there for 33 full years ! 135 00:31:47,530 --> 00:31:50,558 For a long time he'll be just a text scribe with no salary 136 00:31:51,252 --> 00:31:54,022 His first salary was 7 Lira 137 00:31:54,353 --> 00:31:56,187 At an old age, Kavafis..... 138 00:31:56,588 --> 00:31:59,780 informs his supervisors that for personal reasons... 139 00:32:00,081 --> 00:32:03,580 he didn't wish to renew his contract. 140 00:32:14,263 --> 00:32:18,052 Poem: Far Off I should like to relate this memory 141 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:22,217 but it is so faded now 142 00:32:22,718 --> 00:32:25,367 scarcely anything is left 143 00:32:26,892 --> 00:32:28,807 because it lies far off 144 00:32:28,842 --> 00:32:32,586 in the years of my early manhood 145 00:32:34,601 --> 00:32:39,492 A skin as if made of jasmine 146 00:32:40,688 --> 00:32:43,216 that night in August 147 00:32:44,868 --> 00:32:50,386 was it August ? -- that night ... 148 00:32:51,624 --> 00:32:55,710 I can just barely remember the eyes 149 00:32:56,280 --> 00:33:01,177 they were, I think, blue 150 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:15,825 Ah yes, blue; a sapphire blue 151 00:35:19,578 --> 00:35:23,148 Madam has not slept yet 152 00:35:31,108 --> 00:35:33,926 It's not enough 153 00:35:40,713 --> 00:35:42,758 It's not enough 154 00:36:30,037 --> 00:36:36,862 I succumbed again. There is no hope at all. 155 00:36:45,366 --> 00:36:54,904 Unless I stop.... 156 00:37:22,461 --> 00:37:25,132 I wish to have my picture taken 157 00:38:55,907 --> 00:39:00,365 You are the only one who will weep for me 158 00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:39,367 Athens, Greece 1901 159 00:40:51,486 --> 00:40:57,186 Ancient Agora (Market) 160 00:41:02,496 --> 00:41:08,798 Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon 161 00:41:22,329 --> 00:41:28,853 Thission - Temple of Hephaistos 162 00:41:51,863 --> 00:41:55,461 ....of the Gods.... 163 00:41:57,029 --> 00:42:05,089 ....succumb to desires..... 164 00:42:08,982 --> 00:42:12,608 In 1901 the poet visits Greece for the very first time 165 00:42:13,470 --> 00:42:17,754 He saw all the monumets in a way that very few people do that today. 166 00:42:18,932 --> 00:42:22,138 In Athens he meets and befriends certain intelectuals and artists 167 00:42:23,491 --> 00:42:25,590 One of them.... 168 00:42:27,166 --> 00:42:30,127 is the young poet Mavroudis 169 00:42:40,681 --> 00:42:42,139 Good day ! 170 00:42:43,788 --> 00:42:45,972 - I'm sorry I'm late.. - As always Mr Mavroudis..... 171 00:42:46,073 --> 00:42:49,639 - You see it's this sudden rain... - This is Mr Kavafis. 172 00:42:50,088 --> 00:42:52,099 Pleased to meet you 173 00:44:02,205 --> 00:44:06,740 This is Antinoos ! A beautiful young man from Vithynia 174 00:44:06,944 --> 00:44:09,772 The beloved of the Emperor Hadrian 175 00:44:09,807 --> 00:44:14,337 According to the tradition, he drowned in the river Nile in 133 AD 176 00:44:14,338 --> 00:44:17,554 Poem: Ionian Just because we've torn their statues down 177 00:44:17,955 --> 00:44:21,044 and cast them from their temples 178 00:44:21,903 --> 00:44:25,734 doesn't for a moment mean the gods are dead 179 00:44:26,643 --> 00:44:32,030 Oh Land of Ionia, they love you yet (Ionia=cradle of Classic Greek Art) 180 00:44:33,080 --> 00:44:37,178 their spirits still remember you 181 00:44:38,997 --> 00:44:41,880 When an August morning breaks upon you 182 00:44:42,181 --> 00:44:48,567 a vigour from their lives stabs through your air 183 00:44:48,968 --> 00:44:53,228 and sometimes an ethereal and youthful form 184 00:44:54,078 --> 00:44:57,465 in swiftest passage, indistinct 185 00:44:58,682 --> 00:45:02,501 passes up above your hills 186 00:46:20,333 --> 00:46:22,846 There isn't only statues in life 187 00:46:23,589 --> 00:46:27,281 Come !! There is no better place than this ! 188 00:47:54,295 --> 00:48:00,059 Return to Alexandria 189 00:48:20,280 --> 00:48:25,237 Poem: The Satrapy What a misfortune, although you are made... 190 00:48:25,338 --> 00:48:28,348 for fine and great works 191 00:48:28,349 --> 00:48:31,367 this unjust fate of yours always 192 00:48:31,668 --> 00:48:36,566 denies you encouragement and success 193 00:48:37,573 --> 00:48:42,202 that, base customs should block you 194 00:48:42,507 --> 00:48:47,967 and pettiness and indifference 195 00:48:49,293 --> 00:48:53,761 Your soul seeks other things, weeps for other things 196 00:48:54,788 --> 00:48:59,082 the praise of the public and the Sophists 197 00:48:59,683 --> 00:49:02,985 the hard-won and inestimable Well Done 198 00:49:03,015 --> 00:49:07,514 the Agora, the Theater, and the Laurels 199 00:49:07,615 --> 00:49:11,999 How can Artaxerxes give you these ? (=Artaxerxes : King of ancient Persia) 200 00:49:12,306 --> 00:49:16,082 where will you find these in a satrapy ? 201 00:49:16,283 --> 00:49:20,581 and what life can you live without these ? 202 00:49:38,669 --> 00:49:41,715 "The Regiment of the Senses " (prose) 203 00:49:41,905 --> 00:49:44,405 " All of morality's laws .... " 204 00:49:44,605 --> 00:49:47,704 "poorly understood and applied ...." 205 00:49:47,805 --> 00:49:50,305 "are nil and cannot stand" 206 00:49:50,405 --> 00:49:53,770 "when the Regiment of Senses parades" 207 00:49:53,771 --> 00:49:56,958 "with music and with banners " 208 00:49:57,259 --> 00:50:04,583 Your duty is to give in to Desires 209 00:50:58,387 --> 00:51:01,832 Athens , 1903 210 00:51:47,072 --> 00:51:50,752 Poem: September 1903 And yet I came so close so many times..... 211 00:51:50,752 --> 00:51:54,431 And yet how paralyzed I was, how cowardly 212 00:51:56,010 --> 00:51:58,702 why did I keep my lips sealed 213 00:51:58,919 --> 00:52:01,741 while my empty life wept inside me 214 00:52:04,494 --> 00:52:09,923 my desires wore robes of mourning ? 215 00:52:15,408 --> 00:52:17,871 I admire your poetry.... 216 00:52:18,954 --> 00:52:20,876 but....... 217 00:57:02,094 --> 00:57:04,665 Please, leave the room ! 218 00:58:16,496 --> 00:58:20,665 It is distressing that he lost the capability to speak 219 00:58:20,966 --> 00:58:24,394 This man, who was such a fascinating speaker 220 00:58:27,443 --> 00:58:31,318 Anyway, when he was able to speak, Kavafis always said what he wanted 221 00:58:33,804 --> 00:58:37,277 And not what others wanted him to say 222 00:58:37,678 --> 00:58:40,024 What do you mean ? 223 00:58:48,431 --> 00:58:51,476 Mr Sekopoulos, you are the person closest to him..... 224 00:58:51,577 --> 00:58:53,953 I'm sorry, but there is nothing we can do anymore 225 00:58:54,254 --> 00:58:58,578 I think it'd be wise to call the Greek Orthodox Patriarch 226 00:58:58,779 --> 00:59:02,107 My wife has already gone to inform him 227 00:59:03,187 --> 00:59:06,513 So, he was finally convinced to accept him 228 00:59:27,157 --> 00:59:31,273 I mentioned the name Mavroudis to him and he was very upset 229 00:59:32,298 --> 00:59:34,312 Is it true that Kavafis.....? 230 00:59:34,613 --> 00:59:39,625 My dear sir, Kavafis keeps his secrets to himself only ! 231 01:00:53,477 --> 01:00:54,477 Poem:Sculptor of Tyana 232 01:00:54,478 --> 01:00:59,589 I've handled a lot of stone in my time 233 01:01:00,233 --> 01:01:07,506 and in my own country, Tyana, I'm really quite famous 234 01:02:45,767 --> 01:02:48,862 Poem: Myris We'd known of course that Myris was a Christian 235 01:03:03,983 --> 01:03:06,551 But he lived exactly as we did 236 01:03:06,714 --> 01:03:09,936 more devoted to pleasure than all of us 237 01:03:16,085 --> 01:03:19,190 his friends were not Christians 238 01:03:53,985 --> 01:03:58,065 Poem: Tomb of Iasis You know the pace of our life 239 01:03:58,983 --> 01:04:04,515 its fever, its absolute devotion to pleasure 240 01:04:55,183 --> 01:05:02,337 Poem: in the Tavernas Living a vile life I wallow in the tavernas 241 01:06:09,040 --> 01:06:12,862 Not long ago, he was asking me to go again to the library 242 01:06:13,063 --> 01:06:16,771 He wanted some info on the ancient city of Antioch... 243 01:06:19,909 --> 01:06:23,797 in order to finish a poem 244 01:06:23,798 --> 01:06:29,841 (priest voice): This is the last Holy Communion for the servant of God..... 245 01:06:30,142 --> 01:06:35,677 May all your sins be atoned and may you earn eternal life 246 01:08:37,728 --> 01:08:41,814 "" Bring me some water. I'm in pain "" 247 01:08:46,291 --> 01:08:51,332 "" Only gods know the future. They only and uniquely possess the Light "" 248 01:08:55,783 --> 01:08:57,853 "" Time "" 249 01:08:58,407 --> 01:09:03,491 "" Our minds are on Charmides "" (=book by Greek philosopher Plato) 250 01:09:27,205 --> 01:09:31,137 "" Draft notes on the Life and Work of K. P. Kavafis "" 251 01:09:31,642 --> 01:09:34,819 Poem: ITHACA As you set out for Ithaca 252 01:09:37,125 --> 01:09:41,157 hope that your road is a long one 253 01:09:43,838 --> 01:09:46,407 full of adventure 254 01:09:48,166 --> 01:09:51,425 full of discovery 255 01:09:53,287 --> 01:09:58,869 The Laistrygonians, the Cyclops (=mythical monsters) 256 01:10:00,048 --> 01:10:05,877 and angry Poseidon - don't be afraid of them 257 01:10:08,413 --> 01:10:12,106 ask that your road is a long one 258 01:10:14,639 --> 01:10:18,624 may you gain fine things 259 01:10:19,707 --> 01:10:26,700 mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony 260 01:10:28,749 --> 01:10:34,257 sensual perfumes of every kind 261 01:10:35,309 --> 01:10:41,677 as many sensual perfumes as you can 262 01:10:42,906 --> 01:10:47,957 Keep Ithaca always in your mind (Ithaca = homecoming after a journey) 263 01:10:48,059 --> 01:10:52,396 Arriving there is what you're destined for 264 01:10:53,623 --> 01:10:58,013 But don't hurry the journey at all 265 01:10:58,799 --> 01:11:02,527 Better if it lasts for years 266 01:11:03,539 --> 01:11:07,956 so you're old by the time you reach the island 267 01:11:08,247 --> 01:11:11,951 wealthy with all you've gained on the way 268 01:11:13,314 --> 01:11:18,173 not expecting Ithaca to make you rich 269 01:11:19,436 --> 01:11:23,607 Ithaca gave you the marvellous journey 270 01:11:23,889 --> 01:11:27,084 Without Ithaca, you wouldn't have set out 271 01:11:28,373 --> 01:11:31,640 She has nothing left to give you now 272 01:11:33,801 --> 01:11:39,776 And if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you 273 01:11:41,002 --> 01:11:46,418 Wise as you will have become, so full of experience 274 01:11:47,588 --> 01:11:55,456 you'll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean 275 01:12:07,120 --> 01:12:13,123 K. Kavafis died in Alexandria in 1933, on his birthday 29/April