Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Gardener’s Death” (Short)

A man lies sleeping in a beyond dilapidated room. The door knocks with a letter on the doorstep stating, “I am here waiting”. Three people appear in the man’s room one of which is holding a newspaper with sensational headlines (except one which laments the 100% increase in the price of olive oil) linked toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Gardener’s Death” (Short)”

RKS 2024 Wine: Douro Delight?

Having been to the Douro Valley several times I have yet to visit Bulas Cruz the producer of the wine we are about to sample. 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz and 20% Touriga Franca. Aroma: Pumped up with black cherry. Blueberry, blackberry with a hint of coconut. Palate: Vibrant acidity you can feel ratherContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Douro Delight?”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “MJ” (Short)

The Greek film short “MJ” weaves a cautionary tale about entertainment industry fame known yet forgotten by many. Fame is fleeting. “MJ” initially is comedic. In fact, it is hilarious. MJ is a rapper with an ego the size of the Parthenon. Material trappings have inflated his ego to the extent he can’t deliver twoContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “MJ” (Short)”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival:” What Mary Didn’t Know”

“What Mary Didn’t Know” is a lighthearted Greek, French and Swedish co-production. Mary is cruising with her Swedish family in one of those floating hotels. The ship is the NEOROMANTICA with more seniors than you can shake a stick at. Mary’s father complains in the ship’s dining room there is salami in his Spaghetti CarbonaraContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival:” What Mary Didn’t Know””

RKS 2024 Wine: Château Laurou Les Complices 2020 from Fronton

Fronton is a small appellation consisting of 2,400 hectares. The wine is a blend of 65% Négrette and 35% Syrah. Négrette contributes a wonderfully silky texture and raspberry perfume the best wines. Aroma: Raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and licorice. Meaty. Palate: Definite tannins here in a thickly structured wine. The fruit is buried in theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Laurou Les Complices 2020 from Fronton”

RKS 2024 Film (Short): The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Halycon Days”

A farm girl and an auto mechanic from a small Greek village are driving to the mayor’s office for their marriage ceremony but the officiant leaves the building before the ceremony joins the two as man and wife. They must return the following day. The camera work is brilliant in capturing facial expressions of theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film (Short): The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Halycon Days””

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Maldives”

I read the writer and director’s statement (Daniel Bolda) about his film “Maldives” and had a chuckle as the film is, in my opinion, an open book capable of multiple interpretations. With all due respect and affection, I say Bolda is entitled to his interpretation as you and I are as well! Not that IContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Maldives””

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Strangers’ Case”

The Strangers’ Case” was filmed in Jordan, Turkey and Greece. It recounts the journey of several refugees from Aleppo in Syria to the island of Lesvos, Greece in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Amira is a successful pediatric radiologist working in a hospital running short of supplies but is never short of blood and suffering. AfterContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Strangers’ Case””

RKS Travel: WC Blues on Long Airplane Flights

I have taken transatlantic flights with Air Canada, Air Transat, TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, SATA, EVA Air and most recently with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on Economy and Enhanced Economy fares. Their WC bathrooms start clean enough and in all instances, other than with EVA Air, the WC is after a few in-flight hours inContinue reading “RKS Travel: WC Blues on Long Airplane Flights”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Wishbone”

Sorry for jumping ahead here. Do you like “happy endings” and by that I don’t mean that term as used in that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode with Larry David and his Korean masseuse I watched on my KLM flight from Thessaloniki to Toronto this week. There is no clear-cut ending here. Director Penny Panayotopoulou hasContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Wishbone””