The award-winning film Gomsu (Neighbour), a poignant exploration of memory and resilience in post-invasion Cyprus, is to be screened at the Cyprus high commission in London on December 4.

Sponsored by “Cyprus Culture in the UK” and supported by the deputy ministry of culture, Gomsu will be screened at the Cyprus House after its successful showing in Nicosia back in July as part of Cyprus Insula, an ongoing exhibition on the island’s cultural heritage, capturing life from the past until the present day.

Directed by Sholeh Zahraei and Kamil Saldun, Gomsu centres on a Turkish Cypriot woman, Şenay who knocks on the door of her beloved Greek Cypriot neighbour Elena long after the invasion. Desperate for her companionship, Senay keeps leaving a flower on Elena’s door when she doesn’t answer.

Leaving flowers or a branch from that person’s garden or the area around and tagging it on the door is a Cypriot tradition to let them know they had a visitor when they were out. Some flowers and how they were placed, act as signatures of a certain person.

The film uses this Cypriot tradition, as a metaphor for a sought-after bridge between post-war psychology and the longing for peace.

“After wars, many people do not see their neighbours ever again. In loving memory of women that developed the culture of leaving flowers at the door of their neighbours and loved ones when they were unable to find them home,” reads a message at the end of the film.

“The abandoned house shown in the film is a symbol of the trauma and loss experienced by many displaced Greek and Turkish Cypriots and other people from Cyprus over the years,” says Saldun.

“In the recent history of Cyprus, replete with conflict and violence, a lot of times people were forced to leave their homes and were often separated from their families, friends and neighbours. This has resulted in both an individual and collective sense of loss that was intuitively passed down to next generations.”

Gomsu attempts to uncover several layers of history, culture, tradition and collective trauma. At the same time, it seeks to highlight shared past memories, emotions, hopes and efforts towards reconciliation.

Gomsu was filmed in Famagusta in the open part of Varosha, at an abandoned house.

Saldun also stars in the movie along with Şenay Aktug. Arinc Arısoy and Fadi Hijaz are in charge of the camera while Savina Yannatou composed the music.

Zahraei is a screenwriter, producer and film director in Germany and Cyprus. She has been collaborating with Saldun since 2011 on diverse film and photography projects.

The Cyprus Insula exhibition opened on July 4, 2024, and will continue until June 30, 2025. It’s open daily from 10:00 – 19:00 at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in the old town of Nicosia.

Through a specially designed immersive experience, visitors will learn all about the recent history events of Cyprus, by using modern and interactive technologies designed for the exhibition.