Original subtitles

SPRING, TWO MONTHS LATER

Vathis Spiridon!

Vathis Spiridon, yes!

White. Exempt.

My father needs me to help him in the fields.

I can't go.

Hopefully, I will draw a cross and join the army.

-What if there's a war? -There won't be.

-What if there is? -That's why Theotokis wants an army.

Since '97 we are a mess.

Dimatsos Konstantinos.

Dimatsos Konstantinos, yes.

Cross! You're joining.

Next!

Faleros Vassilios.

No way!

I am only 17 years old.

Born in 1885. It's written here. You are twenty-one.

It is probably wrong.

Do you refuse to serve your country?

There's something wrong, I'm telling you.

The Royal Army never makes mistakes.

It writes 17 here as well, Captain.

He is enlisted in the official documents.

He will draw the lot.

-Come on, you'll do it anyway. -I am 17, I'm telling you!

You are whatever the documents say.

White!

Exempt.

Next!

Therianos Georgios.

Therianos Georgios!

He's calling you. Go.

You are joining.

The draw continues.

I repeat.

All young men over 21

who drew or will draw a cross

will have to join, next October

the Tenth Infantry Regiment of Corfu

in the service of our homeland!

ERT PRESENTS: THE GREEK SHORT STORY

SINFUL LOVE

BASED ON KONSTANTINOS THEOTOKIS' SHORT STORY

THE LUCK OF THE DRAW

No...

No, no!

No, no!

You're leaving me...

Where will I go?

What do you want us to do?

Shall I take you with me?

-Do you want to join the army? -How will I survive?

There are months ahead before I leave. Why cry now?

Impossible!

What's left to do?

I am your mother and God knows how much I want you here.

But if you come here while your husband is away

and you don't go with his family, what will people say?

I will never wash off the shame.

What does your mother-in-law say?

I do not know. George has not spoken to her yet.

He wants to discuss it with his father first.

I hope she says yes.

There is no other way.

You should do as she says.

It will be for a while, until your husband comes back.

We'll see.

What about your father-in-law?

What?

He has changed a lot lately.

He doesn't drink anymore. He cut it off.

That's good.

Yes.

That's very good.

To be honest,

when I heard that your mother-in-law kicked you out, I breathed.

What I showed to your father is different.

I didn't want to upset him. He took it seriously.

I thought you didn't care and I was wondering about it.

As if you didn't care about the shame that fell upon me.

It's better than knowing my child lives in house ruled by alcohol...

When people drinks, they lose their minds.

Your father-in-law's father died from it.

Really?

-I did not know that. -Only a few people do.

My father told me.

One day he drunk that much that he hung himself.

I do not know, mother.

I'm confused.

Don't worry.

Father.

Welcome, my dear.

Welcome, my daughter.

Are you talking about the army?

Why are you so sad?

He's not going to prison. He's just joining the army.

Yes...

I told my father that they should take you home.

What do you think?

What can I say? You decide.

And my mother-in-law.

So, father, what will happen?

Will obey to mother's stubbornness again?

After all, I won't be away for long.

I won't stay forever.

In the meantime, I will take some days off...

Can't she be patient even for a bit?

What about you?

Aren't you the man of the house?

I do not recognize you.

Say that I want her with all my heart,

and I do,

what if your mother digs her heels in?

Will you bring her by force?

What do you expect?

Your wife will suffer with a shrew for mother-in-law.

So what should we do?

You go and talk to her.

-I will. -But don't go alone.

-But with whom? -With your father-in-law.

She will be ashamed in front of him.

I will do it.

Tomorrow.

Do you agree, Chrisavgi?

Do as you wish.

I wish my mother loved her as you do.

Do not blame her.

Mother!

Welcome.

Hello, dear.

Hello.

Forgive me, but my husband is not here.

We do not want him.

We came for you.

Let's go in and have a talk.

As you wish. Come on in.

Take a seat.

Cheers.

I wish you the best, George.

May you come back safe.

Diamando...

There is no reason to hide.

We did not like it when you kicked out the newlyweds.

We were upset.

Why so? It was for their own good.

They stay in their house and we in ours.

-They are not the first, nor the last. -Let it be, father.

My mother loved me more before I got married.

I always love you.

And now that I'm leaving for the army

where will I leave my wife?

Housewives are like roosters. They can't live in the same hen-house.

She should go to her parents' place.

I can't take her in, when her husband has his own family!

What are you asking me, Diamando?

I'd better kill her.

I've had enough of the gossiping when you kicked them out.

As if you don't know what gossiping is!

What if she stays at her own place?

I won't let her do that!

A woman, alone in a house?

With such beauty.

Her honor is in danger.

I'd better be a deserter.

I'll take her away, not to be arrested. We'll leave. Forever.

So?

Tell us.

If your father wants her...

-He does. -He does.

He agreed already, didn't he?

Good. I will say yes then.

But first I will talk to the girl.

You, men, agreed upon it. Let us, women, do the same.

Isn't that right? What do you say?

Whatever you say.

Nice wine.

-Is it from last year? -The year before that.

It's been a good year. This one is not going well.

And winter is coming. Let's see how things will be...

until autumn comes and you'll join the army.

Please, fill mine too.

Do they talk to each other?

-But she kicked her out. -Who?

-Her mother-in-law. -Why?

-They didn't get along. -She was a bad housewife.

-He's joining the army. -He is...

It won't be forever.

He will go, but he'll come back.

Do you want to come home?

-They do. -Who?

The people.

Let's sit down.

Let's talk like women.

Mother, we both know more than the others.

-What about George? -Why?

To have him fight with his father? God forbid!

-Your parents? -How could I say such thing?

I'm ashamed even thinking about it.

What will they say about me?

My father loves me, but his honor...

he puts it above love.

Either he would not believe me

or he would kill him.

Your father-in-law has changed. He is good now.

Yes.

But who knows?

The devil comes in many forms.

Therianos is in the middle. On the one hand he has an angel,

on the other a demon.

If he wishes, he is the best. He wouldn't harm a fly.

But yet...

A beast sleeps inside him.

Your father with George came to visit me.

Yes.

My father-in-law came yesterday and talked with your son.

He said he agrees to take me back.

But he is waiting for you to make the decision.

He advised George and my father to talk to you.

What do you think?

What could I say?

I am confused.

Sometimes I am afraid of him and sometimes...

I think I shouldn't blame him.

Maybe he didn't have bad intentions, maybe...

maybe drinking drove him mad.

-And this without bad intentions. -It crossed my mind too.

Now that he is not drinking he is always very careful.

We have met so many times since the day we left

and I he never did something inappropriate.

I don't know. Maybe our minds played tricks on us.

My mind more.

But could I be fooled?

I do not know...

We have no other choice.

I have to come back.

God help.

Now you get along, do you?

Mind your business. We've always got along.

Now that your son is leaving, where will she stay?

-To our house. -That's appropriate.

Autumn

-Be careful. -I love you.

Be careful, my child. Have a safe trip!

God bless you! Don't forget to eat!

Write to me every day!

Be careful! Stay strong!

May God be with you!

Don't cry. He'll be home soon.

Farewell! Have a safe trip! Be careful!

Good morning.

Good morning.

What are you doing? Have you gone mad?

No.

You are wise and prudent like me.

That one? Did you forget about it?

Which one?

That one over there. There are many grapes on it.

-Where is Chrisavgi? -At the field with father.

With father?

-Just the two of them? -Yes.

-Go take them food. -What about the barn?

-Later. -Do I really have to go there again?

Are you still here? Be quick as a flash!

I brought you food.

Is this Chrisavgi? Therianos' wife?

-She looks like her. -It's her.

Have a nice day.

Good morning.

Why is she that ugly?

She's pretending to mourn for her husband who's away.

She's right. She's being careful.

So we're marring our children.

-Let us always be happy. -Eftichis, bring us a glass.

I do not drink.

Not even to wish for our children's wedding?

Forgive me, Constantine, but I can't.

He is right. If you stop drinking and then start again

it's no good.

Bring some milk for Stathis.

To hell with it! Bring me a glass.

Congratulations! May they live long and prosper.

-Thank you. -To their wedding.

-I wish the best to your son. -I hope we'll have a grandchild soon.

Amen. No more.

Let him, don't pour him more.

To hell with it! Pour me some!

Cheers.

When will the wedding be?

This time we decided to delay it.

Let's see if Thodoris will join the army first.

We'd better learn from our mistakes.

We should have waited too.

We should have done the wedding after he'd come back from the army.

Why? They got married before, so what?

Stathis...

doing what you like doesn't make you a man.

Admitting your mistakes makes you a man.

Admit it. It was not wise on our part.

Now, look...

Your son joined the army.

And now what?

He cries for his wife in the camp

and she cries for her husband in your house.

If they were engaged they would cry too.

At least my daughter would cry in her own house.

In her mother's arms.

Excuse me, but we treat her as our own child.

Come now. No hard feelings.

The children are fine.

-They love each other, don't they? -Yes.

-Sure. -That's what matters.

Only my daughter looks older.

By herself.

Too soon..

Don't worry.

She is so beautiful. No matter what she does

her beauty will never fade.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God,

have mercy upon us and save us.

Amen.

Enjoy your meal.

Enjoy your meal.

Come on..

Come on, give it to me.

"My dear wife, I am writing while on the watch.

It's late at night.

Everyone is asleep, but I keep thinking about you.

I'm thinking about our house.

Your words keep coming to my mind

that our life was shattered.

I want you to be patient.

I wrote it to you earlier. I am writing it to you now too.

Nothing has changed.

You see, when I come back everything will be like it was.

And even better.

I've asked for some days off. I think I won't make it before Easter.

Be patient and wait for me.

Kiss my father, my mother and my sisters.

And tell them I have them in my heart.

I send you my love. Your husband.

Private Therianos George, son of Efstathios".

Eat up.

I'm going to sleep.

-Are you coming? -In a bit. Let us finish first.

As you wish.

-Good night, girl. -Good night, father.

Winter has come.

So what?

Four months have passed.

Yes.

Are you thinking about him?

All the time.

Be patient.

He will come back.

I'm sad that I don't know how to write to send him a letter.

Let your father-in-law write for you.

And if you do not want him to, ask your brother.

The things I wish to write to him...

No one else should hear.

The things I wish to tell him...

I forget that you are his mother. I feel like you're mine.

I am yours too.

Speaking of which, your mother is right.

Enough with the harm you do to yourself.

Even I, who am proud of your wisdom and prudence

I can no longer stand to see you like that.

Then be patient.

Until my husband comes, this is how you will see me.

How do you think things are?

-Calm. -You see?

The Virgin Mary heard our prayers.

Yes.

He's always been nice. I'm suspicious.

And it's obvious.

The poor man does not take it seriously.

Sometimes I am sorry for him.

Better safe than sorry.

-Mother? -What?

-Do you love him? -Whom?

Your husband.

I am not asking a difficult question. I asked you if you love him.

Forgive me if I'm bold, but you are so different.

We have been together for twenty-two years.

Is it possible to be with someone day and night for 22 years

and not love them in your own way?

In your own way? Are there many ways?

You know how to elicit secrets, don't you?

I try to.

So let's say,

that before your father-in-law I loved another man.

Why didn't you marry him?

We were engaged.

Why didn't you marry him?

Hush.

-What happened? -Your father-in-law took me by force.

And later...

there was no coming back.

I had to marry him.

God wanted things to be like this.

Mother, you scare me.

Why?

How could he do such a thing?

Love made him.

And stubbornness.

He wanted me since he was young.

Your father-in-law is a good man

but if he puts something in his mind he will do it at no matter what.

What are you thinking?

Nothing.

What are you doing?

Go away!

Go away!

Go away!

Help! Let me go! Leave me alone!

Leave me alone! Help!

Shut up!

Satan...

What did you do?

George...

Stop.

What's done is done.

And it will not happen again.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

Forgive me.

Lord...

What did I do?

Translation Anna Dimkou

Subtitling AUTHORWAVE