The Divided Island (15)
Directed by Cey Sesiguzel

THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the partition of Cyprus which seems to have slipped under the radar as the world focuses on Ukraine and Gaza.

Notwithstanding these a powerful and thought-provoking directorial debut feature by Turkish Cypriot Cey Sesiguzel and co-produced by Greek Cypriot Andreas Tokkallos aims to shift the focus back onto the so called “Cyprus problem.”  

Aiming to bring an unbiased examination and understanding of this complex issue, the documentary features untold stories from ordinary people from both sides of the divide.

It provides a potted history as to how and why the island is still divided with Turkish Cypriots living in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south.

People describe how both communities lived harmoniously together at one time and the war of 1974 and atrocities each side carried out. As one expert explains, Greek and Turkish Cypriots were both victims and perpetrators.

The interviewees speak candidly about the harrowing ordeals they witnessed. One describes how she narrowly escaped being raped by Turkish Cypriot soldiers while others were not so lucky.

The film also explores the role of Britain which granted Cyprus its independence in August 1960 and how it controversially played the two communities off against each other.

The Greek Cypriots rose against British rule in the early 1950s and Britain recruited Turkish Cypriots as police officers to keep them in check. The Greeks saw them as collaborators. It was a classic case of divide and rule. In December 1963 civil war erupted.

The documentary reveals how Greek Cypriots are not taught about their Turkish counterparts in school, it also shows images of dead bodies unearthed in mass graves which may prove alarming and difficult to watch.

Yet some of the most hopeful scenes are those of a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, who are pro the unification of Cyprus, meeting for drinks at a cafe as they talk and laugh together like normal people.

This could be the future of things to come. It is also reflected in the spirit of a collection of outstanding short stories written by both sides: Nicosia Beyond Barriers: Voices fron a Divided City (Saqi Books).

In cinemas from today.