Documentaries

CMP Video is working on a documentary on the Greek Island of Cyprus , situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and in a very strategic zone, making the island prone to various rulers and occupiers over time. Today the island has two English bases and one occupier since 1974, Turkey.

We follow the long awaited journey of Zacharoulla and her Parents, who go back to visit the home in Vatili, which they left behind in 1974 and have not been permitted to return, due to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the forbidden crossing by the Greek Cypriot people to the Northern part of their island since 1974.

Zacharoulla as a child is played by her five year old daughter, and is filmed with re-enactments in actual locations. We visit the tavern her father used to own, while the family leaving upstairs, the search of past familiar Turkish Cypriot fellow villagers, and the condition of churches and old grave sites of family members.

Through her journey she discovers the true history and unfortunate reality of the Cypriot situation, and tries to come to terms with the strong painful bond she holds in her heart for her home, Cyprus , even though she has lived in Australia for 30 years.

 It is a story all migrants, and all people who have a true sense of belonging to a place or country will relate to, and empathise with.

We hope to tell Zacharoulla's story, feelings and experiences without making this into a polical and finger pointing excercise. We would be more than happy to hear from you if you have any input, questions or interesting little stories.

Visit this site for regular updates on the documentary.

Mini-Gallery:

		Hover over the thumbnails above to see larger images on the left

Brief History:

The island of Cyprus has been under Turkish occupation since 1974, with Turkey occupying the Northern part of the island (roughly 38% of the total island). The island prior to the occupation was made up 18% Turkish Cypriots and 82% Greek Cypriots.

Even though conflict started as early as the late 1960's between minority Greek and Turkish Cypriot gorilla groups, the unrest was never an issue between the greater community and the 2 cultures functioned quite happily as one, and the island remained under the common Greek Cypriot ruling government.

In mid 1974 however, the growing power of the Greek Cypriot minority group EOKA B, led to the mistreating of the Turkish Cypriots over a week long coo that took place on the island.

This gave the opportunity for Turkey to intervene as a military intervention to save the Turkish Cypriot people. Greek Cypriots had to flee from their homes leaving everything behind, expecting to return in the near future, but instead of Turkey leaving the island after the civil unrest had settled, she translated her military intervention into military occupation and remained to form an illegal state run by a Turkish Cypriot Regime under the instruction of mainland Turkey , which has not been recognised by any foreign government other than Turkey itself.

The promises to the Turkish Cypriots for a brighter and fairer future were soon realised to be the fairytale beliefs of a struggling population, as Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders did not show any concern for the growth and prosperity of the island or for free speech and political support of its people.

The voices of the struggling Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who's basic human rights of home had been violated for over two decades, came together about 10 years ago and began a joint movement to bring justice to Cyprus and its people, since the governments were not having any progress in unifying the island.

Therefore after decades of separation the Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations had to learn to squash the fear of the other, after blaming each other all these years for the situation on their island, and work together to free their island from the hands of the Turkish military. We have a situation now where the two long lost friends, the two parallel suffering partners, are uniting in their struggle to find their home and their true identity.

Please contact us for all of your documentary video production needs.