Standing ovation at Kay Pavlou’s ‘Two Homelands’ doco premiere in Sydney

·

When the credits rolled on Kay Pavlou’s one-hour documentary Two Homelands at its Sydney premiere, the packed crowed gave a standing ovation as emotions – both tears and laughter – flowed.

Held at the Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore on Saturday, July 20, the documentary premiere had an extra special meaning as the day marked 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

It comes as no surprise then that Two Homelands was so well-received by the more than 150 people in attendance.

Kay Pavlou received a standing ovation after the documentary premiered. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

The documentary shone a light on six Australian Greek Cypriots – aged 70 to 102 – who gave emotional eyewitness accounts of the Turkish invasion and their migration to Australia. Sombre recollections were interspersed with moments of light humour and funny anecdotes – creating a perfect blend of both grief for Cyprus and hope for the future.

For 15-year-old Elliot Foxlee, who is half Greek Cypriot, it was important to attend the documentary screening to get a deeper understanding of the historic events which took place in 1974.

kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney
Elliot (left) with his family and friends.

“I’m here because my yiayia was one of the survivors of the Cyprus and Turkey war,” Elliot told The Greek Herald on the day.

“I haven’t heard too many stories. Yiayia doesn’t talk about it a lot. So I hope [through this documentary] that I will be able to learn more about it.”

Besides educating, the premiere night included a number of speeches by Ms Pavlou, the Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Stavros Nicolaou, and PASEKA President / SEKA NSW Co-chair Chris Koulinos, as well as a musical performance by Hellen Aristides (vocals) and Tassos Lambrou (bouzouki).

kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney
kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney
Stavros Nicolaou.

Official guests were also present including the First Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Athanassios Lambrou, and President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, Michael Kyriacou.

In his speech, Mr Nicolaou – who concludes his duties as Deputy High Commissioner this month – gave an update on the Cyprus Problem and spoke of sentiments towards the invasion.

kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney
Stavros Nicolaou (left) and Kay Pavlou (right).

“Today we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In the north of Cyprus today, they are ‘celebrating’ 50 years since the ‘peace operation’ on Cyprus,” Mr Nicolaou said.

“Imagine how that would sound to my mum who fled her home at the age of 10 [during the invasion]. Imagine how that would sound to refugees, to a mum who lost her son, to a sister who lost her brother, who still doesn’t know what has happened to him.”

When Mr Koulinos approached the microphone to give an impromptu speech, he thanked Ms Pavlou for creating a meaningful documentary and encouraged everyone to attend commemorative events organised by SEKA NSW this Sunday, July 28 to mark the 50th anniversary of Cyprus’ invasion.

kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney
kay pavlou two homelands documentary sydney

Director Ms Pavlou thanked everyone for attending and was overwhelmed by the positive reception to Two Homelands. She also announced her plans for a new feature drama film on the village where her father’s family was from – Rizokarpaso.

“My film was both a commemoration of war and a celebration of community, and the audience responded to every moment. The audience were really lively – they cheered, clapped, laughed and cried,” Ms Pavlou told The Greek Herald.

A clear indication that Two Homelands will have a successful stint on screens around Australia and globally.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Greeks in Australia and New Zealand pay tribute to Father George Kanellis

Tributes are flowing today following the death of Father George Kanellis from the Holy Metropolis in New Zealand.

Young cancer survivor Leonidas says ‘fatherhood changed him for the better’

Being diagnosed with cancer, having a daughter and losing your best friend in a motorcycle accident at the tender age of 26 is a lot to go through for an average person.

‘Never forget’: Cypriots in NSW mark anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus

The 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus was commemorated in NSW with a wreath laying ceremony and cultural program.