L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
The internationally known photographer Calliope reveals
the "handsomest Sakis" we have ever seen and the text that follows
explains the real reason why he is in L.A.
I love Sakis. I can't deny him anything. A ht August evening in New
York, I am relaxing in my apartment and swear that I won't do any
more traveling for at least a month. I just got back from another
trip – in Mexico this time. I say to myself, I am not going
anywhere. Enough is enough. India, Maroco, Brazil, Greece, England,
France, Italy and Mexico in four months. Finally I want some peace.
But the phone rings. And it's Sakis.
"I am in Hawaii. Why don't you come? The magazine LIFE & STYLE is
going to do a photo shoot and we have to do it together".
"Are you completely nuts?" I ask him and all I could think of is the
ten hours of flight and how tired I am.
"How about L.A. when I get back on Sunday?" he asks again.
We flirt with the idea and fool around for a while.
"How about later?" says one. "Yes it's pretty hot now" says the
other. "Maybe we should do it in Grand Canyon" says one. "No let's
get to Las Vegas or in Aspen at wintertime" says the other.
The next day our final word is "Why don't we do it now?" So in a
short while I am on a plane to L.A. There is no time for
preparations – my only weapon is the trust we have for each other.
"There is no time for preparations. Both of us will have to
improvise. Do you trust me?" I ask him before I leave.
"Totally" is his answer.
I met Sakis a long time ago. I remember a shy and kind kid. From the
first moment I recognized in him virtues that spoke to my heart. It
was easy to see through him maybe because we are both Capricorns. Or
maybe because we have many things in common. We are both very shy,
something that can be interpreted as "keeping others at a distance"
by those who don't know us. Both of us look like something other
than what we really are. We are both inquisitive and share an
innocence that makes our life easier. We like to play games and we
love children. And finally, like true representatives of our zodiac
signs, we are very passionate about our work. Our work is our love,
our joy, our game the way we express ourselves. We both want to
evolve to become number one in everything. Both internally and
externally…
I am proud of all the things that he has achieved so far. I know how
hard he has worked and nothing was ever given to him. All you have
to do is watch to realize that: ERT's suggestion that he should
represent Greece and be the host of Eurovision 2006, his platinum
album "S'eho eroteftei" that was released in spring and is still on
the charts, and two philanthropic concerts that are already sold out
(one is in Thessalonica at September 8th and the other in Athens,
six days later) are enough*. The more time goes by his talent and
the magnetism he sends forth grow stronger and more glamorous
because they have content.
"I like the way you portrait me" he tells me
"I am photographing your soul" I respond.
Sakis comes by my hotel, the Mondrian, and sits across me on the
suite's white sofa. Next to him a window shows the Sunset Boulevart
who looks like a modern painting.
"Freeze" I tell him and I take his picture spontaneously.
The next day I drop by his house and he asks me if I want "greek
coffee" Naturally I do. It's one of my weaknesses when I can find
it – which is almost never in Hollywood and dash to the kitchen to
make it myself.
"Not like this" he tells. "You have to take your time and prepare it
slowly so it can show its taste".
I let him do it. "Even your coffee is good" I say with a smile.
I enter his closet and go through his wardrobe to decide the clothes
he will be wearing for the photo shoot. This shirt, that trouser and
that guitar and then we go outside. We start shooting at the garden
of his house – which I really like. The house is of Spanish
architecture, very traditional for Hollywood in the 20's and a
wonderful garden with tropical plants. A guy shows up at the next
house. He and Sakis say "Hi" and I recognize him: He is the son of
Robert Evans, a producer that made history in Hollywood and Ally Mac
Grow the actress who made me cry in "Love Story". Sakis is wondering
how I recognized him.
Then we ride on the cabriole Mustang that I have rent and drive
around the city of Angels. We pass Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and
the Chinese Theatre where some of the biggest stars in Hollywood
have left their mark. Around the theatre several stars' look alikes
are waiting to be photographed with the tourists that walk by. When
we see a Superman look alike I ask Sakis to be photographed with him
but he says no.
"Let's get out of here. If I was photographed like that it would be
kitsch" he tells me smiling.
In spite of that I manage to take a shot. We wonder if we have
enough time to visit the desert at Joshua Tree Park. We walk around,
we play, and we laugh. It's so easy between us. He takes m camera
and starts shooting at me. "Look left, look ahead" the tables have
changed and the sun is blinding me.
I stayed in L.A. for three days. We talked about various subjects
but it never occurred to me to ask him what he is doing in L.A. Deep
inside I already have the answer and that's enough: he is not
resting. He needs broader horizons he tells me. Just by saying so
it's enough for me. Once more my faith in him is restored.
He talks nostalgically about Greece. He describes the vacations he
is going to take in Corfu and Crete and is counting the days. We
talk and laugh and think. When Sakis is trying to be funny he gets
to be really funny, and when he wants to be a friend he becomes a
close friend. I tell him that God has send him to me because I need
motives. Now he has introduced me to digital cameras.
"I know you don't usually use digital cameras but you should give
them a try. Use mine. You will like it".
When I returned to New York I bought one of my own.
We finish late. It's almost night time. We are tired but happy. It
was a fun and exciting weekend. The next day Sakis is starting his
vacations in Greece and he has to pack and I have to catch a plane
to New York. It's late. I wave goodbye one more time. He smiles and
waves back. L.A. is wrapped in a sweet violet color. Looking at him
I know that although he is still here his heart is in Greece. I am
jealous …
Mag. LIFE & STYLE, September 2005
* Translator's Note: As you probably know the concert in
Thessalonica was canceled but another one was given in Patra
instead, after the concert of Athens on October 4th.
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Subject: LIFE & STYLE, September 2005 
6th May 2006, 8:31 pm
And wasn't it nice 4 his manager 2 record our man's every move while visiting Serbia and meeting up with a couple of our friends rite here along with their friend as well! 
