A cinematic journey through the tumultuous life and prolific works of Greek novelist Alki Zei. A life that encapsulates Greece’s entire 20th century history and writings that have received international acclaim and continue to be honored, touching generation upon generation of readers. The film is based predominantly on the verbal testimonies of Alki Zei, but also on those of her sister, Eleni Kokkou, and her dear friends and fellow travellers, film director Manos Zacharias and poet Titos Patrikios.

Two people, alone in a desolate city. Costas and Anna in Athens. Costas is an engine driver. The trains he drives travel from one end of the city to the other, following the traces of the ancient rivers that were paved over and made into roads. Anna sells ferry boat tickets at Piraeus, the city’s main harbour, the place where the rivers once flowed into the sea. Costas knows Anna. He sees her every morning, waiting on the platform for his train to take her from Thiseion to Piraeus; and he sees her every afternoon, when his train takes her from Piraeus back to Thiseion. Anna doesn’t know Costas. From the window of the train car she looks out at the same desolate city every day, without knowing who’s driving the train. When something happens to turn Costas’s life upside down, he decides to reach out from inside his solitude and talk to Anna.

Athens, today. Three siblings face the prospect of selling their family home. The potential buyers will tear it down and erect a modern building in its place.