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.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

IHO NYX brings Greek Rock to centre stage in Sydney this weekend

As Sunday, April 6 approaches, all eyes are on IHO NYX, the band ready to electrify Sydney with a concert dedicated entirely to Greek Rock.

Party for a purpose: Support the Pontian House at the Winter Wonderland Gala 2025

The Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas will host its highly anticipated Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 on Saturday, May 31, at 6.30 PM.

‘Comedy Cartel’: A night of laughter at the Hellenic Club of Canberra

Get ready for a night of laughter and cultural celebration as Comedy Cartel makes its debut at the Hellenic Club of Canberra this June.

Cypriot courage remembered: Join the ANZAC Day March, keep their legacy alive 

On Anzac Day we commemorate the bravery and good deeds of Australian, New Zealand and Allied forces over many conflicts.

Orthodox Mission in Madagascar uplifted by Australian generosity

As Bishop Theophilos prepares to return to Madagascar, he issued a statement expressing his deep gratitude for the support and affection.

You May Also Like

Vow Foods cofounder George Peppou says their lab-grown meat is more environmentally friendly

George Peppou and Tim Noakesmith’s Sydney-based, lab-based meat company Vow Foods has raised $8 million in investments.

US plans to mediate tensions between Greece and Turkey, Pompeo says

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said the US has plans for a "diplomatic initiative" to diffuse tension between Greece and Turkey. While Pompeo was...

‘I don’t want to see a two-tier society’: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet

Dominic Perrottet addressed multicultural media on Wednesday for the first time as the New South Wales leader.