The "Flea" is a handwritten little newspaper published, edited and written by Ilias Seilaidis, a determined twelve year-old schoolboy who lives in a remote village in the mountains near ancient Olympia. His efforts go largely unappreciated by his elders, who tease him and nickname him "The Flea" and his concerned parents are convinced his preoccupation with his newspaper will distract him from more serious studies and forbid him to continue it. Ilias' only allies are a quixotic eccentric and a sensitive schoolgirl. The villagers' scoffing at Ilias' ambitions changes to admiration when an Athenian journalist shows up to do a story on Ilias.
He becomes disheartened, however when he realizes much of their enthusiasm stems from hopes for increased tourism spurred by his fame and he distrusts the journalist's motives as well. In the end he chooses the road less traveled much as he always has done. As Ilias writes in his paper: "The Flea is something like a dream, the trips I want to take, to go beyond the borders of my small village. It's the wings which help me fly far away". "The Flea" is also an attempt at daydreaming, optimism and hope. A poke at our slumbering sensibility. But it is above all the beauty of children's innocent eyes.
To paraphrase a well-known saying: "Children are too serious a matter to be left in the hands of film directors". Dimitris Spyrou, however, handles his subject with the same devotion, skill and sensitivity that Ilias "publishes" his paper.
Awards
CIFEJ Berlin International Film Festival 1991
First Prize International Children's Chicago Film Festival
Irish Scriptwriters Union Award Belfast International Film Festival 1991 |