An award winner at the 1987 Berlin Children’s Film Festival, director Dimos Avdeliodis’ semi-autobiographical tale is set on the island of Chios in 1960. The school holidays present an opportunity for carefree days of mischief on the part of two young friends. They have great fun and many fine adventures that include a war with a nest full of enraged hornets, making fun of the village idiot, getting sick on stolen plums, and rescuing a lost dog. But their temporary period of total freedom comes at a price, and eventually the tears of the two young friends merge with the ‘tears’ of the famous mastic tree of Chios. A hymn to innocence, the film is characterised by a simplicity of approach that’s reminiscent of old American slapstick comedies. Although working with minimal resources and amateur actors (inhabitants of the island), Avdeliodis directs with total sincerity and imbues the film with considerable humour and pathos.
(1986. English subtitles. Colour. Dolby stereo. 75 mins.)