Zacharias Mavroeidis's fourth feature film appears to be a pioneering work, at least according to my understanding, utilizing a movie-within-a-movie structure within the LGBTQ+ genre. This charming gay comedy-drama centers on Demosthenes (Yorgos Tsiantoulas), now working in civil service after an acting career, and Nikitas (Andreas Labropoulos), a former actor pursuing filmmaking, as they brainstorm ideas for Nikitas’s next project while relaxing at a nude beach along the gorgeous Greek coastline. They consider several possibilities before settling on a story inspired by Demos's past relationship with Panos (Nikolaos Mikas) two summers prior—a breakup that Nikitas witnessed firsthand. The film then uses flashbacks to explore that uncomfortable separation, as the friends attempt to understand what went wrong and why, ultimately learning more about themselves individually than about their former romantic connection. This approach offers a refreshingly genuine portrayal of relationships and friendships among gay men, particularly concerning honesty and commitment in both partnerships and other contexts. As they develop their film concept, the creators also find ways to inject creativity—a blend of social commentary, self-acceptance, financial limitations, family issues, and even caring for animals. However, the sheer amount of material included proves challenging to weave into a smoothly flowing narrative. While the filmmaker’s intentions seem genuine, he occasionally seems overwhelmed by the task of consolidating everything into a cohesive whole. There are certainly many sincere moments and flashes of humor, but the film also has a tendency to wander, with considerable unnecessary content that could have been trimmed. This is especially apparent in the final section, where the pacing falters, suggesting uncertainty about how to conclude the story. “The Summer with Carmen” is undoubtedly an ambitious undertaking, showcasing mature and thoughtful themes (perhaps more so than commonly found in LGBTQ+ films), but it would likely have been stronger with a firmer editorial hand, willing to make cuts that would allow the film to reach its full potential.

Source on TMDB