Emotions run high at world premiere of ‘Two Homelands’ doco in South Australia

·


On a wintery cold afternoon, the South Australian Greek Cypriot community gathered on Sunday, July 14 at 3 pm. The occasion was the world premiere of Two Homelands, a one-hour documentary produced and directed by locally born Kay Pavlou. 

The film focuses on the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Six senior Australian Greek Cypriots – aged 70 to 102 – give emotional eyewitness accounts of the war and their migration to Australia.

Over 100 South Australian community members attended their Club in Welland, Adelaide for the documentary premiere. The response from the audience was one of tears and grief at the loss of their beloved island. 

two homelands premiere south australia
Kay Pavlou (left) with new SEKA South Australia President Iacovos Digenis.

One refugee said, “Even though we are crying, we are happy to see our story told.”  

Peter Ppiros, Findon Ward Councillor, added, “The film exposes the Cyprus problem, but also tells our story as migrants, our struggles to stay connected to our homeland.” 

two homelands premiere south australia
Kay Pavlou with her father Panayiotis Pavlou and partner Jack Tanner.

Pavlou was very moved by the reaction to her documentary. 

“When I started out nine months ago, I was hoping to make a film that would help communities around Australia express the complex emotions surrounding the 50th anniversary – sorrow, anger but also hope that the island can find a peaceful solution,” she said.

Cyprus Community of South Australia President Professor Andreas Evdokiou.Photos supplied.

Newly appointed President of SEKA SA (Justice for Cyprus), lawyer Iacovos Digenis represented the next generation in community leadership. 

“As Australians, we can see the success of multiculturalism so we wish that Cyprus can also live as a united island with different ethnicities living side by side,” he said.

Cyprus Community of SA President, Professor Andreas Evdokiou, urged the audience to attend the ‘Raise Your Voice’ protest against the continuing illegal occupation of Cyprus by the Turkish Government on the steps of South Australia’s Parliament House at 1.30 pm on Sunday, July 21.

Two Homelands will screen in Sydney on Saturday, July 20 at 7 pm at the Cyprus Community Club of NSW, 58-76 Stanmore Road, Stanmore.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

Memorial service to be held in Sydney to honour the life of Chris Felemegas

A memorial service will be held in Sydney on Sunday, October 12, to honour the life of Chris Felemegas, a figure remembered for his warmth.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos meets Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

Greek women’s rugby league to play first international tournament in Sydney

The Greek Women's rugby league team will play their first international tournament at Lidcombe Ovalin in Sydney, Australia this month.

Greece calls new Turkish survey mission a threat to region, issues counter-Navtex

Greece accused neighbour Turkey of undermining efforts to ease a crisis over eastern Mediterranean drilling rights on Monday.

Nick Galatas on next steps in the National Second Tier

The National Second Tier football competition, set to kick off in 2025, is currently facing uncertainty regarding its final structure.