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Forced Marriage Unites Divided Cyprus and Apartheid South Africa
23 Oct
Summary
- Film centers on a young woman's forced arranged marriage from Cyprus.
- She navigates life in Apartheid South Africa, finding love and confronting her past.
- The movie is inspired by the writer-director's refugee parents' experiences.
In 1974, as Turkey invaded Cyprus, young Eleni was forced to leave her homeland. Through an arranged marriage, she found herself in Apartheid South Africa, a stark parallel to her divided homeland. This deeply personal film, inspired by the director's refugee parents' experiences, chronicles her journey.
Initially finding a new life with Nico, their relationship slowly blossoms into love. However, an unexpected friendship compels Eleni to confront a buried secret from her past. The movie, shot in Cyprus, interweaves narratives between Cyprus and South Africa, bringing the turbulent 1970s to life.
Writer-director Stelana Kliris aims to challenge the 'us vs. them' mentality by portraying a fictional story rooted in real events. The film emphasizes intimacy and character-driven narrative, using distinct aesthetics to represent the two locations and the two distinct periods. While war and Apartheid form the backdrop, the core story focuses on love, friendship, and identity, offering a human and intimate experience.
