My Milk Dad: The story of genuine friendship

Desperate times call for desperate measures and when, during the 1974 war, Turkish Cypriot soldier Mehmet needed help to save his baby girl he had to risk it all. The film My Milk Dad is the true story of humanity and kindness presented by the Turkish Cypriot Film Director Cemal Yildirim. A film screening and presentation is set to take place in Yeroskipou on September 11, introducing the incredible story of two soldiers from opposite sides of the battlefield.

My Milk Dad is set during the fierce clashes in Ayios Andreas in the centre of Nicosia. Outposts are on both banks of the river Pediaios opposite each other with many deaths on both sides. When a short-lived truce is reached, Turkish Cypriot soldier Mehmet takes two hours off to go home to see his newborn baby girl but he finds his wife desperate and pacing anxiously up and down the house.

Their child is ill and cannot drink milk with lactose and the stock of lactose-free milk she had from a pharmacy in Nicosia has run out. The baby, weak and hungry is on the verge of death, so Mehmet takes the empty milk container to the Greek Cypriot outpost begging for help. In desperation, he holds up from a distance the container and shouts: “Milk, my daughter is sick!”

Greek Cypriot soldier Andreas cautiously goes to him and when he understands what is happening decides to help. He rides a bicycle around the almost empty city looking for an open pharmacy to buy this milk. For three more months, he continues to bring the milk to Mehmet and his baby girl survives.

Many years later, Mehmet’s daughter Birgül is 47 and is searching for her ‘milk father’ Andreas to thank him. She finally finds Andreas Efstathiou from Yeroskipou and they had an emotional meeting last year. The film, with Greek subtitles, will be presented on September 11 at 8.15pm at Fitos Inn in Yeroskipou with Birgül, Andreas and Mehmet attending.

My Milk Dad

Film presentation of a true story of genuine friendship during the 1974 war. September 11. Fitos Inn, Geroskipou, Paphos. 8.15pm. Free