Gala screening of Olivia

A documentary gala screening will take place at Goethe-Institut on October 14 as Asi Production presents its latest project. Olivia is an English-language film directed by Mine Balman that shares the story of three generations of women in Cyprus who have suffered in conflict and post-conflict situations within the last 50 years. Its screening in Nicosia hopes to gather a diverse crowd and includes subtitles in English and Greek.

Talking about the film, the producers said: “The first generation has been struggling to heal the losses of war, the pain of missing relatives, and the pain of losing home and homeland. The second generation has been struggling to overcome the claustrophobic feeling of being stuck in one half of the island after the division of Cyprus and to get rid of the uncertainties and pains of the past that have been carried to the future. The third generation, on the other hand, has been struggling with her eyesight since she was born. Although the official history is telling these three women from three different generations that they are enemies, they cooperate, support, and heal each other.

“In post-conflict areas,” they add, “women who suffered a lot from wars and conflicts could be braver to take the initiative as peace-builders. Olivia is a bridge between the past and the present. Olivia is the hope of healing the wounds of the past and the future generations of the Cypriot communities for a unified and peaceful future. Despite the darkness of the past, Olivia will nourish Cypriots’ hope to build a brighter future!”

Olivia

Documentary gala screening. October 14. Goethe-Institut, Nicosia. 7pm