Movie
SONG OF SEPARATION (ΤHE)
English titleTRAGOUDI TOU CHORISMOU
A beautiful Athenian lady (Lida Miranta), who spends the summer in Hydra, falls in love with a fisherman (Lampros Konstantaras) and “steals him” from his girlfriend (Evgenia Danika) to turn him into a singer at Athenian nightclubs. However, a year later, following his friend Zarganas’s advice (Alekos Leivaditis), he returns to his loyal and patient girlfriend.
- Production Year 1940
- First Greek Screening 15-04-1940
- Color B/W
- Audio SOUND MONO
- Director FINOS FILOPOIMIN
- Production GREEK FILM STUDIO, SKOURAS FILM
- Script Writer BOGRIS DIMITRIS
- Director of Cinematography DRIMAROPOULOI BROS
- Set Designer FREX
- Makeup artist KELESIDIS STAVROS
- Musician VITALIS GIORGOS
- Singers DIATSENTOU ISMINI, EPITROPAKIS PETROS
- Sound Engineer PROVELENGIOS AIMILIOS
- KONSTANTARAS LAMPROS
- LIDA MIRANTA (FRAGKOULI MIRANTA)
- LEIVADITIS ALEKOS
- DANIKA EVGENIA
- ANAKTORIDIS GIORGOS
- MOSCHOUTIS MIMIS
- PAPAGEORGIOU KOSTAS
- BENIPSALTI MARIA
- PAPADOPOULOU NANA
2 photographs about this movie
40 themes about this movie
OPENING TITLES
00:00:00-00:02:19
Opening titles
THE STROLL OF KONSTANTIS AND ZOITSA
00:15:03-00:16:26
As the evening falls, Konstantis and Zoitsa leave her house and go for a romantic stroll on the beach. They seem to be in love. Boats pass by in the background. The couple is soon to get married. They kiss and go. Konstantis has to go and sing at Stamatis’ tavern.
Participants: ZOITSA - KONSTANTIS
THE MEETING OF KONSTANTIS AND MIRANTA
00:16:27-00:23:49
At Stamatis’s tavern, sailors, islanders and holidayers sit all together. Jokes and teasing are prevalent among them. Miranta and Mr. Venardis sit together at a table. Miranta says that it is hard for her to get married and that she regrets leaving the theatre. At some point, Zarganas takes a guitar hanging from the wall and accompanies Konstantis, who sings an island song, in a rather operatic fashion. Everyone applauds them. Miranta grows enthusiastic and asks to be introduced to him, praising his voice. Venardis introduces them to one another and they set a meeting for the following day. Konstantis returns to his friends and they have fun.
Participants: SAILORS - ISLANDERS - RESORTERS - MIRANTA – MR. VENARDIS - KONSTANTIS – STAMATIS - KONSTANTIS'S FRIENDS
KONSTANTIS AND MIRANTA GO BOATING
00:23:50-00:26:42
In the picturesque harbor, Miranta steps on Konstantis’s boat and they sail into the open sea. They step out on an empty beach, where Miranta hits her leg. Konstantis takes her in his arms.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - FISHERMEN - MIRANTA
ZOITSA FEELS UNEASY
00:26:43-00:27:23
Zoitsa, rather anxious, asks Zarganas, who mends his nets on the beach, where Konstantis is. She finds out that Konstantis is on the boat with the lady from Athens. She feels jealous. At he same time her fiance kisses Miranta on the deserted beach and they renew their appointment for the following day.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS - A FISHERMAN – MIRANTA - ZOITSA
KONSTANTIS’S DILEMMA
00:27:24-00:29:02
At the coffee house, Konstantis, spiritless, confesses to Zarganas that Miranta proposed to him to work as a singer in Athens. He faces a dilemma: on one hand there is Zoitsa and on the other there’s luck, wealth and fame. Zarganas has his doubts and tells him that Zoitsa has been looking for him since the morning.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS – THE PATRONS OF THE COFFEEHOUSE – MANOLIS
THE QUARREL OF KONSTANTIS AND ZOITSA
00:29:03-00:30:36
The two men go to the dock where Zoitsa is waiting, Zarganas leaves discreetly. The girl complains to her loved one and tells him that if he meets this woman again, she will no longer have a place in his life. Konstantis replies sharply that he will go to Miranta, no matter what.
Participants: KONSTNTIS - ZOITSA - ZARGANAS
KONSTANTIS AND MIRANTA BECOME A COUPLE
00:30:37-00:31:55
Konstantis’s boat takes him and Miranta to a deserted beach. The couple kisses passionately.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - MIRANTA
KONSTANTIS’S DECISION
00:31:56-00:33:05
At the coffee house, Konstantis tells Zarganas that he will leave for the capital, where a career with money and fame awaits him. Zarganas is cautious and seems to have his doubts. He stands up, wishes “good luck” and leaves.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS
ZARGANAS TALKS TO ZOITSA
00:33:06-00:34:03
Zarganas goes to Zoitsa’s house and tells her that Konstantis is ready to leave, because the “stranger” seduced him. In the end, he convinces Zoitsa to talk to Miranta face to face.
Participants: ZARGANAS - ZOITSA
THE MEETING OF MIRANTA AND ZOITSA
00:34:04-00:37:57
Miranta is ready to leave, when Zoitsa visits her at her hotel room. She tells her that she is Konstantis’s fiancé and that it isn’t proper to take him with her. Miranta pretends not to understand and she kicks her out arrogantly. Zoitsa leaves, asking Miranta to make Konstantis happy.
Participants: MIRANTA - THE MAID - ZOITSA
THE HARBOR OF HYDRA
00:02:20-00:00:03:11
We watch shots from the beautiful harbor of Hydra, an island in the Saronic Gulf. We see boats in the sea, and others on the shore. Fishermen fish and passersby walk.
Participants: PASSERSBY - FISHERMEN
KONSTANTIS LEAVES THE ISLAND
00:37:58-00:40:23
Τhe boat leaves the harbor and Konstantis feels sad as he watches his island disappear. Next to him, Miranta embraces him, as if he were a trophy.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - MIRANTA - SAILORS - PASSENGERS
ΤHE SONG OF SEPARATION
00:40:24-00:43:26
Zoitsa, seated on the wellhead in her courtyard, sings a sad song of separation. Her father tries to console her.
Participants: ZOITSA - ZOITSA'S FATHER
KONSTANTIS AND MIRANTA GO ON STROLLS AND EXCURSIONS
00:43:27-00:46:23
It is October 15th. On a luxury car, Miranta and Konstantis stroll in the center of Athens (Panepistimiou street, Syngrou avenue, Hadrian’s Gate, Herodes Atticus Theater). Miranta drives. They seem to be in love. Excursions in the countryside follow (Marathon, Nauplion, Mycenae, Epidaurus). Konstantis drives. Miranta writes “I love you” on the windshield, in lipstick.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - MIRANTA
A YEAR LATER, KONSTANTIS’S VOICE IS SINGLED OUT
00:46:24-00:47:54
Τhe calendar shows it’s October 15th. A year has passed, the couple is at Miranta’s luxury house. Miranta reminds Konstantis that it has been a year since he left the island. Konstantis thanks her but says that he still thinks that his mistreated Zoitsa. They kiss. The maid brings in the newspapers that refer to Kostas Mavridis’s exquisite voice.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - MIRANTA - THE MAID
ZARGANAS’ DECISION
00:47:55-00:48:55
At Zoitsa’s courtyard, Zarganas reads the same excerpt in the newspaper, while the girl cannot hold her tears. Zarganas is saddened and decides to go to Athens. He counts the money that’s left, to find out if it is enough for the boat tickets and his stay.
Participants: ZOITSA - ZARGANAS
ΤHE LOVE LETTER FROM LONDON
00:51:19-00:52:06
Miranta receives a love letter from London. It is written by Makis, a wealthy former lover of hers. She tells Konstantis that she will go shopping and that she is invited to tea at Mrs. Papantoniou’s house. There she will listen to Konstantis’ songs on the radio. They schedule an appointment later in the evening, to go out and celebrate.
Participants: MIRANTA - THE MAID - KONSTANTIS
THE FISHERMEN PREPARE TO LISTEN TO KONSTANTIS ON THE RADIO
00:51:19-00:52:06
On the island, the fishermen mend their nets on the beach, as they prepare to go to the tavern and listen to Konstantis on the radio.
Participants: FIVE FISHERMEN
ZARGANAS MEETS KONSTANTIS IN ATHENS
00:52:07-00:53:37
Zarganas wanders in the city, looking for Miranta Lampridou’s house. There he finds Konstantis, who prepares for his radio show, and asks him to talk.
Participants: ZARGANAS – KONSTANTIS - PASSERSBY - THE MAID
MIRANTA’S MEETING WITH THE PLAYWRIGHT
00:53:38-00:54:46
Miranta meets by chance in the center of Athens Mr. Venardis, the playwright. They talk about Konstantis, who became famous thanks to her help. They are to meet later for tea at the house of Mrs. Papantoniou, where they will listen to him on the radio.
Participants: MIRANTA - MR. VENARDIS - PASSERSBY
AFTER ZARGANAS’S DEPARTURE, KONSTANTIS FINDS THE LETTER
00:54:47-00:57:35
Zarganas talks to Konstantis about Zoitsa, who, though abandoned, is still in love with him and prays for him. He also talks to him about the benefits of life on the island, in contrast to that in the city. He wishes him good luck for his radio show and says he feels better now that he kept his promise to Zoitsa. When Zarganas leaves the house, Konstantis finds the love letter Miranta received earlier.
Participants: Z
KONSTANTIS AND ZARGANAS ARE FISHING
00:03:12-00:04:11
On a boat in the open sea, two young men, Konstantis and Spyros, the so-called “Zarganas”, are fishing. Konstantis sings a love song that is dedicated to his beloved Zoitsa. Then he sings to the fish, to enjoy a great catch. A woman’s voice is calling him.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - SPIROS THE ZARGANAS
KONSTANTIS, PUZZLED, GOES TO THE RADIO STATION
00:57:36-00:59:56
Konstantis walks out of the house and heads towards the Zappeion and the state radio’s headquarters. He passes by Syntagma and enters the Royal Gardens. He seems to be lost in his thoughts and has mixed feelings, as he is thinking of the two women of his life and the letter Miranta received from Mimis. He steps out of the garden and enters the radio headquarters.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - PASSERSBY - ZOITSA - MIRANTA
AT THE RADIO STUDIO
00:59:57-01:01:14
At the studio, the broadcaster presents Kostas Mavridis and his first song, "I am waiting for you”. A tango. Konstantis begins to sing and brings to his mind images from the island.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - THE BROADCASTER
KONSTANTIS’ VOICE IS HEARD ON THE RADIO THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
01:01:15-01:02:15
Konstantis’ voice is heard on the radio all over Greece. In the bourgeois living room, the ladies sip their tea and listen attentively to the radio.
Participants: LADIES - GENTLEMEN
KONSTANTIS SINGS AND THINKS OF ZOITSA
01:02:16-01:03:56
Konstantis sings with pronounced signs of sadness in his heart. He remembers happy moments on his island, along with Zoitsa.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZOITSA
BARCAROLE
01:03:57-01:04:18
The broadcaster announces Konstantis’ next song, entitled “On the boat”. Barcarole. Again, Konstantis seems to remember life on the island.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - THE BROADCASTER
ZOITSA BREAKS INTO TEARS
01:04:19-01:08:05
On the island, at Stamatis’ coffee house, Konstantis’ friends and some elderly locals listen to the song in silence. Shots of Konstantis who sings and remembers the island are also shown. Zoitsa stands at the coffee house door and listens to the song, with tears in her eyes. She seconds Konstantis and in the end she breaks into tears. The young men go on her side.
Participants: KONSTANTIS' FRIENS - ELDERLY - KONSTANTIS - ZOITSA
THE BOURGEOIS ARE CHARMED BY KONSTANTIS’ SONGS
01:08:06-01:09:13
In Mrs. Papantoniou’s living room, the bourgeois are charmed by Konstantis’ songs and praise his voice. Miranta and Mr. Venardis decide to pick him up and celebrate his success together.
Participants: THE BOURGEOISE - MRS. PAPANTONIOU - MR. VENARDIS - MIRANTA
KONSTANTIS LEAVES MIRANTA
01:09:14-01:10:28
At Miranta’s house, Konstantis leaves her a letter. He takes off his city clothes and puts on the fisherman’s garb - the one he wore when he first came to Athens. He walks out and takes a taxi to Piraeus.
Participants: KONSTANTIS
ATHENS IS NOT FOR US
01:10:29-01:11:05
At the harbor, the boat is ready to sail. Konstantis embarks and a little before the departure he meets Zarganas on the deck. They agree that Athens isn’t for them. They hug and laugh.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS - PASSENGERS
MIRANTA FINDS OUT ABOUT KONSTANTIS’ DEPARTURE
01:11:06-01:13:28
Miranta, at the company of Mr. Venardis, comes home and goes to summon Konstantis. In a while she returns, full of sadness. She tells him that inadvertently she destroyed the dream of a lifetime. She gives him the letter and Venardis wonders how on earth she fell in love with a fisherman. He believes that this is a whim that will pass. He asks her indirectly to marry him, but Miranta states that she is in love with Konstantis.
Participants: MIRANTA - MR. VENARDIS
ZOITSA
00:04:12-00:04:53
Zoitsa, Konstantis’ fiancé, waits on the shore. The fishermen see her and approach the land.
Participants: ZOITSA - KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS
SUNSET ON THE ISLAND
01:13:29-01:15:36
Romantic sunset on the island. On the boat’s prow, Zoitsa sings in Konstantis’ arms, while Zarganas stands on the stern.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS - ZOITSA
THE COUPLE’S BOATING WITH ZARGANAS
00:04:54-00:08:15
Zoϊtsa tells Konstantis that in the evening he has to sing at Stamatis’ tavern. Then all three (Zoitsa, Konstantis and Zarganas) step on the boat and sail. A romantic barcarole (love song composed for boating) is heard. The couple sings embraced on the prow, as the boat, with smiling Zarganas on the stern, passes by the island’s shipsheds. The boating continues.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS - ZOITSA - WORKERS
THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYERS
00:08:16-00:09:49
The boat arrives at the harbor. Seven or eight people, probably holidayers, disembark.
Participants: THE PASSENGERS - THE SAILORS – THE LOCALS
MIRANTA LAMPRIDOU ARRIVES AT HYDRA
00:09:50-00:10:33
Two women dressed in city clothes step off the boat and head to the hotel. It’s Miranta Lampridou, former star of the revue - and her maid.
Participants: MIRANTA LAMPRIDOU - THE MAID – PASSERSBY - THE HOTEL GROOM
ZOITSA AND KONSTANTIS MEET ZOITSA’S FATHER
00:10:34-00:11:23
Zarganas, Zoitsa and Konstantis, holding fish, meet the girl’s father, who invites them to his house. Zarganas leaves and the two men set an appointment for that evening, at Stamatis’ tavern.
Participants: KONSTANTIS - ZARGANAS - ZOITSA - ZOITSA'S FATHER
MIRANTA AT THE HOTEL
00:11:24-00:15:02
Miranta, having left her baggage in her room, goes alone to the hotel restaurant. She orders a drink. A little further down, two wry gossipers recognize her and make comments on her last scandals and her wealthy lovers. An elderly playwright, Mr. Venardis, joins them. In the past, Miranta had performed in one of his plays with great success. Disregarding the gossip, Venardis walks to Miranta’s table. They have a brief encounter. She announces to him that she separated from her last lover and he invites her to a tavern where islanders sing.
Participants: MIRANTA – THE MAID - TWO LADIES - MR. VENARDIS - THE STUFF OF THE HOTEL
Offices
Greek Film Archive
Links
Digital Archives
Cinema
Member of
