First Time Godfather

That's who'll go to Crete!

Come here.

I don't think I've ever

sent you to a baptism.

I was 2nd best man in Akrata,

and 3rd best man in Patra.

It's a tough village to win.

We need votes from all sides.

Maybe we should send

someone more experienced?

It's an honour to send your son.

Not a bad idea, Mr. President.

You're a little one?

Little, but strong.

I have to leave,

to go to Patra...

and you will go to Crete

on my behalf...

...to baptise

Mr. Panagakis's baby.

Three o'clock, just the two

of us, we're going for a ride.

I didn't forget.

I know.

But, this is a great

chance for you...

to help in this election.

Will you help?

After the baptism,

you have to read this.

How hard is it

to postpone the baptism?

They've postponed it

twice already.

If you can't go,

that's all right.

We'll see,

we'll find a solution.

I can.

Are you sure?

And you don't have

to read all of it...

...or by heart, just read it.

But it's very important

that you read the speech.

Our weapons are words, speeches.

That's our battlefield.

And then...

a long ride...

like in California.

But, only Greek in Crete, right?

Get Alex ready.

He's going to Crete.

The son!

Bravo!

Don't worry.

Panagakis will take care of you.

Not this way.

This way. After you, Mr. Alex.

Not like that.

Our Chief sits here.

Don't you understand,

he must be seen by all, get it?

Where's your head?

We'll put this one, it's new.

Not that one.

Give it here.

We'll use these ones,

they're big and fresh.

Brother.

Let's get going.

Your Godfather's coming!

A great man, this tall!

He's brave...

big and strong.

Hello.

Brother, I think

this gnat is talking to you!

Whose boy is this?

- Hello, I'm the son.

- The son? Whose son?

Welcome, little man!

You're our pride and joy!

Crete was, is and always

will be democratic.

Lefteris Panagakis.

What's your name, boy?

- Where's your father, Alex?

- To Patra.

He had to go...

Inside Patra...

- He's not coming?

- He couldn't, I was by him sent.

Didn't anyone message you?

Did they message me?

Sure! We've been messaged!

It's my fault. A cable came

last night, I forgot to mention.

That's what it was about.

Now you tell me?

You who never forgets a thing!

A thousand greetings...

a thousand plus two more...

a garden of meetings

through our open door.

Welcome!

You'll sit here.

Where your father would sit.

If it isn't the lazy hedgehog!

A thousand charred devils!

No, no, stop!

Go back to hell,

and don't return!

Leave it alone!

It's a living creature!

Shut the hell up!

It's the devil's seed.

Right?

That's right.

Not like a lamb,

scared of the shimmering blade.

Shame!

This is our village.

We're here.

Wait.

I'll get the door.

- A heart, a leg...

- get out of here.

Who's this?

Where's the Chief?

Get out of here, Moustaka.

That's the Godfather?

He's little like us!

Welcome.

Nice to have you.

Welcome my child,

my lord and king.

It's his son, mother.

It's the same, even better.

You'll sleep here, on the bed

we made up for your dad.

Not for young men,

it was for your father.

This one doesn't even

speak "Romeika".

He doesn't, does he?

For every two words,

he makes three mistakes.

What good is a baptism without

a speech, the way things are?

You can't pick them like olives.

Mother of god...

where's the boy?

In the bedroom.

Myrto, go and get him!

What's "Romeika"?

"Romeika?" Greek.

What are they saying?

It's impossible,

we have to postpone it.

It's the third time!

And leave the baby unbaptised?

Woman!

Do you think I'm stupid?

- What are they saying?

- It shouldn't happen.

What?

The baptism.

When will we collect the votes?

If our Chief was here,

it would be a piece of cake.

But what can we do

with the little one?

What can I say?

Let's postpone it.

And what do we do with the boy?

He'll stay here for a a wee bit,

and then go back.

They said for you

to go back.

Go back.

Come downstairs... food.

What's he doing?

You think I know?

It's what politicians' sons do.

Practice every spare moment.

Instead of saying their prayers

at night, they make speeches.

You think so?

This one was born

to be a politician.

You should see this, Panago...

you who can't even

make up a couplet.

What where you doing

on the balcony?

He was practising. Right?

Practice?

Listen, boy...

this is no ordinary baptism.

It's to bring democracy

to this hard-fought land.

That's why we want

to postpone it... have it later.

My father said that

I've got to be the Godfather.

And you can say all this?

I'm little but strong.

He'll do fine.

He's little but strong,

he'll be a great Godfather.

Right, husband?

Whatever we had planned

for your father, you'll do.

I'll make you look better

than your father. Really.

Let me tell you a few things

before we start the day.

Because today and tomorrow

are two very important days.

You understand?

For the baptism?

For democracy.

Today we'll visit

two families...

...the Fountedakis,

and the Manedakis.

They're not supporting

our party...

...but you're here

to win them over.

We need both families

tomorrow with us.

Tomorrow, when we

march in the square...

...we need both families.

That's the only way to get

our 150 votes.

We need this many votes

to get elected.

That's right!

You have to greet everyone.

And double greet them.

You know how? Your hand.

With both hands. Damnit!

Ls this music?

Are you joining the other side?

I'll make a man out of

you yet, like it or not!

Let's go on.

Whatever they offer, you eat.

Eat, eat, and don't ask.

Would my father do that?

And a lot more!

He'd chortle it all down!

That way we get

the women on our side.

Don't you know what they do?

Their husband asks them to vote

for one party, they say "yes"...

...and then secretly

they vote for another.

That's why we'll bring them

with us, one by one.

And say:

"My compliments to the chef."

My compliments to the chef.

Good, come here, my trinket.

You should have been my son.

Now, the men will

ask you to do things.

Things, don't worry, favours.

They're helping us

to bring democracy...

...and we help with their stuff.

Their problems. You see, son?

If they ask for electricity,

you say "electricity".

If they ask for a phone line,

you say a "phone".

If they ask for a road,

you say "yes! The road!"

You say "yes" to everything.

Would my father do that?

That, and much more!

- Leave the boy alone.

- I'll set you straight!

- You're only making it worse.

- Not a word!

Come here, damn it! What are you

doing? Damn your father!

Here's the Godfather!

Hold the baby, she wants you.

Aren't you her Godfather?

Are you afraid of dropping her?

If you want to practice,

you can lift me, it's fine.

- See, your dumb son again!

- Why, sweetheart, why?

Shouldn't you say something?

Something of your own?

You can't be a politician

and a mute.

The boy knows how to speak.

Say something that

your father says.

Long live demo-cre-cy.

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