Nicolas is a lyre player in the Dionysiac rites, ceremonies where initiates walk on burning coals. He is young, innocent, unrefined, in love. Constantina's whole life lies ahead of her. She and Nicolas have nothing in common except for the whirlwind of ecstasy, or so she thinks. She dumps him and leaves. Nicolas sinks into the muddy waters of the river. He comes out on the surface, goes out into the world, into the city, into the night. Far from his roots and his rational nature. There where the ultimate reserves of existence are traded. He meets Elena who comes from Russia. A postcard of Toronto in her handbag. Fragile, vulnerable, but determined. Armed with the strength to survive, a non-negotiable strength. There is a tragic balance between Constantina, Nicolas and Elena: the sacrifice that stems from love. Nicolas and Constantina lose each other. When they meet again nothing is the same any more. Nicolas has gone over to the other side. Constantina will take him back, with her. There where everything becomes more simple, inevitable and true. Nothing less, nothing more than earth and water. |