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 alike 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 colour. Looking at him I know that although he is still here his heart is in Greece. I am jealous …

Mag. LIFE & STYLE, September 2005

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