In the final podcast of their European journey, Sylvia and Michel reflect on their trip's challenges, joys, and discoveries—from endless rain and Sylvia’s frizz-proof hair to emotional revelations about her mother’s mysterious past. They delve into family secrets involving a nobleman, a gangster romance, and conflicting accounts from CIA and Beaverbrook papers. Old photographs and ties to the Thyssen family deepen the intrigue, while the emotional impact of Sylvia’s adoption secrecy looms large. With gratitude for their small but devoted crew, they celebrate cultural contrasts and the beauty of spontaneous moments as they wrap the season, open to wherever the story leads next.
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44:17
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44:17
Medy Roc: Where Power and Espionage Collide
Sylvia and Michel kick off the episode from San Sebastian, Spain, reflecting on their exhausting journey, unexpected Airbnb passport checks, and broader concerns about privacy and surveillance. They dive into their documentary work, recounting a chaotic but revealing interview, a relative who recognized a person in an old photo and mentioned a nobleman named Von Trotha. Later, they speak with “Jura”, a former KGB intelligence officer, who contrasts traditional espionage with modern surveillance. The episode delves into the challenges of filming, language barriers, and high-profile connections, revealing how Medy Roc was more than a social hub—it was a crossroads of power, politics, and espionage.
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30:20
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30:20
The Riviera & The Resistance
The duo revisit Sylvia’s childhood memories while in San Sebastian uncovering new layers of her mother Maria’s mysterious past. From a poignant boat trip to Medy Roc to an eye-opening interview with Pierre Rayon, son of a French Resistance hero, they delve into Maria’s ties to war, espionage, and high society. Unexpected revelations—like monogrammed towels from a former German officer is balanced with humorous nostalgia, indulging in French desserts and lively encounters.
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22:25
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22:25
Conversations in Cannes: Unraveling the Past
Sylvia and Michel continue their journey in San Sebastian, reflecting on their latest interviews and experiences while traveling through France. They discuss their meetings in Cannes to speak with Sylvia’s mother’s friends, Nicole and Jean-Claude. The conversation explores Jean-Claude’s helicopter company, his adventures with Sylvia’s mother, and the extravagant lifestyle of high society in the South of France. Personal anecdotes about travel habits, sunglasses as a form of identity, and Sylvia’s mother’s legendary presence are also topics.
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13:29
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13:29
Roadblocks, Revelations & Pink Champagne
Michel and Sylvia’s latest episode finds the duo recounting their travels through Switzerland, Italy, and France. Their journey is packed with unexpected twists, from cultural mix-ups about muscle cramps to navigating scenic yet chaotic coastal roads. They share amusing anecdotes, like dodging a seagull attack on their drone, making unplanned stops at lavish villas, and Sylvia’s frantic search for her missing wallet. Their adventure takes a dramatic turn in France, where GPS failures lead to frustrating detours, and a fiery toll booth protest causes massive delays en route to Monaco. In Antibes, they uncover more of Sylvia’s mother’s glamorous past, meeting Victoria Haggerty, a former opera singer and family friend, who shares intriguing stories of high-society parties and unexpected celebrity encounters.
American filmmaker Michel Grey and Swiss artist Sylvia Greif dive into the chaotic world of film and television production with their distinctive, offbeat style. In their first season, they explore their latest project—a documentary and screenplay unraveling Sylvia's family's hidden secrets. As they delve into a tale of international espionage, elite society, and political coups in South America, they expose the raw struggles, triumphs, and compromises behind producing powerful media content.
South Africa