A Dream of Passion

Year: 1978

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Greek

Director: Jules Dassin

Drama

Melina Mercouri plays Maya, a jet‑setting Greek actress who returns home to prepare for the role of Medea. Seeking the basis of a mother who would kill her children, she meets Brenda (Ellen Burstyn), a Bible‑quoting American inmate serving a prison term in Athens for that crime. The encounter forces Maya to confront the grim reality behind the myth.

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Timeline & Setting – A Dream of Passion (1978)

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Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Main Characters – A Dream of Passion (1978)

Meet the key characters of A Dream of Passion (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maya — Melina Mercouri

A Greek actress who has spent years in Hollywood and returns to Athens to star in Euripides' Medea. As rehearsals progress, Maya questions her initial interpretation of Medea and investigates Brenda Collins’ case, linking stagecraft to real-life trauma. Her research prompts reflections on her own life with her husband and on her friendship with Maria. The intertwined plot tracks how her evolving portrayal reshapes the play's final rendering.

🎭 Actress 🧠 Introspective 🎬 Stage presence

Brenda Collins — Ellen Burstyn

An American woman whose case horrified a public in the Athens area; She is deeply religious and maintained a devout life with her husband and children. Brenda’s admission and the motive for the murders is tied to an affair by her husband Roy, and the publicity around her case becomes the focal point of Maya's exploration. The interview exchanges and visits reveal a complex portrait of trauma, guilt, and a struggle for voice.

🕊️ Religious 💔 Trauma 📛 Public Interest

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

Major Themes – A Dream of Passion (1978)

Explore the central themes of A Dream of Passion (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:15

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Narrative Summary

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Narrative Summary

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A Dream of Passion Summary

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A Dream of Passion Timeline

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A Dream of Passion Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About A Dream of Passion

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