Nicosia: The documentary ‘Cyprus: The Divided Island’ premiered on Monday at a special event at Ledra Palace, Nicosia, under the auspices of the United Nations, sending a message of peace through the voices of the people of the island.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the director of the documentary, David Castillo, introduced the film by mentioning that more than 50 hours of recording were condensed into a special format for the premiere. He also revealed that the complete interviews and the final format of the documentary are expected to be available on television platforms in the coming months, likely in three episodes.
Castillo emphasized the neutral stance taken by the production team, respecting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, allowing them to tell their stories freely and respectfully. He shared that the criticism received from both communities, each accusing the film of favoritism towards the other, was a testament to the documentary’s impartiality.
Despite facing challenges and obstacle
s from various quarters, Castillo expressed gratitude for the support received, particularly from local authorities, ambassadors, and diplomats from countries including Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, and representatives from the European Parliament.
Castillo urged the diplomats to reflect on their roles in aiding Cyprus towards achieving lasting peace, challenging the disparities in international responses to conflicts, particularly questioning the European Union’s differential approach to Cyprus compared to Ukraine. He called for increased awareness and action from the international community to support peace efforts in Cyprus.
The documentary delves into over 60 years of territorial, identity, and political conflict in Cyprus, featuring interviews and personal testimonies from those directly affected, as well as analyses of the diplomatic, social, and cultural implications of the conflict. The narrative is brought to life through the voices
of over 32 individuals, including leaders from both communities and a former United Nations representative in Cyprus.