Dimitris Kourtis: Alec Scouffi | Echoes of unconventional wanderings

A hybrid video essay inspired by the genres of autofiction, docudrama, and still image film, unveils the fascinating story of a now forgotten, but once famous wandering bohemian queer persona, Alec Scouffi (1886-1932). Using fragments of historical memory, photographs, archival footage, rare gramophone recordings, and voice-over narration, the project attempts to explore the heterogeneities of the 1920s and to reconstruct an unseen reality of the Interwar period, through the turbulent life and work of Scouffi, a quite mysterious nocturnal figure who frequented the queer midnight cabarets and was brutally murdered in Paris. Born in Alexandria, family friend of Cavafy, collaborator of the legendary opera singer Enrico Caruzo and the famous composer Dimitris Mitropoulos, he worked as a baritone singer in many prominent venues such as the Monte Carlo Opera, while as a writer he is still considered today a pioneer of early homosexual literature.

Rich archival sources, including newspapers, magazines, photographs, and police documents, lay the groundwork for a first-person voice-over narration, while rare gramophone recordings transport us to the vibrant cabarets, opera houses, and ballrooms of the past. Armed with a Kodak Brownie—a commonly used camera of those days—selected moments from his journey will be depicted, such as Cavafy’s house in Alexandria, Bageion Hotel in Athens, and his apartment in Paris. This in-depth research, in the form of a hybrid video essay, serves as an adventurous quest in the 1920s, shedding light on Scouffi’s untold story and the Interwar period. The result is a captivating narrative that invites viewers to immerse themselves in a fascinating tale of cursed poets, strange artists, and bohemian wanderers.

During the first phase of the Onassis AiR residency, I had the time to go through Greek, Egyptian, and French digitized archives in an effort to create a linear narrative about the life and work of Alec Scouffi. This initial stage of the residency was an ongoing process of interacting with other participants through Onassis AiR workshops and activities, as well as presenting my research and getting feedback from the other Fellows. Utilizing over 20 archives – including the Cavafy Archive, Scouffi's bibliography, the Centre d’Études Alexandrines, gramophone record archives, and digitized newspapers – I was able to structure the project through presentations for constructive peer exchange. Collaborative interactions and continuous feedback were essential to this immersive experience, laying the groundwork for the completion of the primary phase of my research.

From the outset, knowing that the Onassis Foundation had acquired Cavafy’s archive and supports research through its open-access policy, I was inspired by the richness of resources and sought to integrate Cavafy’s archival items and documents into my work. My time with the Cavafy Archive was particularly valuable, as it allowed me, through navigating the digitized material, to sense Scouffi’s Alexandrian years and his connection with Cavafy. More importantly, the team at the Cavafy Archive provided me with all the necessary information and put me in contact with other researchers and relevant institutions based in Alexandria. This support enabled me to further explore the city’s rich past and the place where Scouffi spent his early years.