2009 at Larnaca seafront, Phinikoudes.
Deme looks at the children playing on the beach.
DEME
Alright, I’ll carry on with the list. Let me know as soon as you find out about the venue. I’ll wait for your phone call.
The group of kids rush into the sea.
DEME
There’s something I have to do first
EXTERIOR: HOUSE – AFTERNOON
Deme knocks on a door. THEODOSIS, 78 years old, opens the door. He stares at Deme for a moment, then recognition comes.
THEODOSIS
Oh Demetraki, yeia sou! How’s the family? How nice to see you again.
They shake hands and Theodosis invites Deme in.
He turns round and shouts to his wife in the kitchen.
THEODOSIS
Loukia, we have a guest! Demetrakis is here! Get us some coffees and some glyco. (Caramelised fruit).
Turning back to Deme.
THEODOSIS
Come in! Come in! The match is almost over. Go and talk to Loukia for a few minutes. AEK is playing and the game can go either way!
Deme enters and walks straight to the kitchen where he greets KYRIA LOUKIA, Theodosis’ wife, 74 years old, who chats incessantly.
LOUKIA
Oh Demetraki mou! (She kisses and hugs him warmly)
He’s always watching these football matches! Ever since he retired he’s either at the club or watching it on TV. Leonidas was here the other day; he’s deputy head teacher now and is very busy. He visits us after work sometimes before going home. We see Yiannos now and then as he’s living in Nicosia but his wife isn’t very well. Fortunately, Maria lives round the corner and has settled down with a very nice man, good as gold. How’s your family, Frances and Stella?
Deme sits down at the kitchen table.
DEME
We’re all well considering. Thank you for your support during the funeral.
LOUKIA
Stelios was like a son. Your family and ours were like one family. I remember when Theodosis was on strike at the bank and I went to see your dad. I said ‘Kyrie Matheo we cannot do any shopping next week and we have to cut back on our spending.’ Well you know the next day your dad came round with bags full of food because he knew what we bought and he said ‘This is my contribution to the strike. You’ll get this every week while the strike continues’. Here’s the coffee. Take it in otherwise he’ll be screaming for it. The glyco is watermelon. I hope you like it!
Theodosis calls out to Deme from the front room.
THEODOSIS
Demetraki come quickly! See what’s on the news!
INT: HOUSE – FRONT ROOM – SAME
Deme walks into the front room with the coffee as Theodosis is pointing at the TV.
THEODOSIS
It’s this nasty politician criticising this bi-communal event.
DEME
What’s he saying?
Peter (a journalist) is interviewing Epiphanios Karagyannis MP.
EPIPHANIOS
This, like every July, is the anniversary where we condemn the barbaric Turkish invasion. They took our land and killed our heroic boys, and then they brought in settlers to change the demographics of the island. Having an event that ignores these realities dismisses the suffering and loss of the invasion and is an insult to all genuine patriots. The government and the Nicosia municipality should not allow it to take place. Patriots should organise and stop it.
Theodosis turns the TV off
THEODOSIS
I really hate that guy.
DEME
The events about the two communities coming together and healing the wounds. Right wing nationalists like Karagyannis want to leave these wounds open to fester.
THEODOSIS
It was …decided to clear a minefield from near the border but before it was made official, he bought it for a pittance and made a fortune! The owner, who had lost the use of his land all these years due to the mines, was left with nothing but loose change.
DEME
Surely this is illegal, how come he’s not been arrested?
THEODOSIS
People like him know how to cover themselves. They get family members or someone close to buy the land on their behalf.
DEME
His criticism of the bi-communal event is a problem.
They sit down and sip their coffee.
DEME
I want you to tell me the story of when you and dad drove around Pentadaktilos looking for Stelios. I only know bits of the story.
Theodosis gets a photo out of Stelios and shows it to Deme.
THEODOSIS
This is a nice one of your brother. It was at a picnic, one of many, at Platania if I remember right.
The pair look at the photo of Stelios.
THEODOSIS
We drove for days. Every morning your dad would pick me up about six in the morning and we’d head off to the front line. He always took a change of clothes for Stelios, some food, water and lots of cigarettes.
DEME
Where did you search?
THEODOSIS
At first we tried Kyrenia district right near the front. We could hear the fighting while planes flew overhead. There were so many refugees trying to get away, moving South. We stopped and talked to many asking for any information.
FADE TO BLACK:
EXT: PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAWN – 1974
Matheos and Theodosis stand on the mountain range overlooking the coast of Kyrenia. Some areas are ablaze and the rumble of artillery and the rattle of machine gunfire can be heard beneath them.
Refugees are fleeing south. An old lady, CHLOE in her seventies stops to talk. She holds her two grandchildren by the hand.
MATHEOS
Hello yiayia. Have some water- take a sip. Have you seen this boy?
Shows her a photo of Stelios.
MATHEOS
He’s my son- we’ve lost touch. He was working in Kyrenia when the invasion took place.
CHLOE
No my son, we’re fleeing from Morphu. It’s mayhem there! Nobody knows exactly what’s going on, many dead and families separated.
Matheos notices the mud and dirt on their clothes.
CHLOE
We had to hide in ditches when the bombers flew over. We’re hungry and tired, especially the little ones.
THEODOSIS
Come yiayia. We can pack all of you in the car and drop you to the next village. You can get a lift from there.
Theodosis and Matheos motion to two other families to get in the car as well.
The car is full as they set off.
INT: CAR – MORNING
Matheos and Theodosis drive south. The grandchildren have fallen asleep on their grandmother’s lap. They whisper so as not to wake them As they drive they see refugees walking and military trucks moving in both directions but mainly south.
MATHEOS
It’s not looking good for us.
CHLOE
Oh Panagia mou! I‘m seventy-one and I’ve never seen such horrifying things, even in ‘64 and ’67! I wish I was dead. This isn’t a war it’s a massacre. Our army is just a few young men doing their best. The Turks are killing prisoners…
Chloe checks the kids are still asleep, and then continues in a whisper.
CHLOE
…But our lot are no better!
MATHEOS
What did you see yiayia?
CHLOE
We’ve seen Turkish villagers killed too! It’s a free for all! Morphou was a mixed village and we lived happily together. I remember when our two daughters were married and we wanted to build them a house for their dowry. We had land but no money.
THEODOSIS
It can be tough with girls.
CHLOE
My husband asked our Turkish Cypriot neighbour to lend us some money. He lived across the road from us and we’d known him for years. He worked as a park ranger – a good steady government job. He agreed straight away.
THEODOSIS
He was a good man.
CHLOE
My husband then said ok let’s get a lawyer and draw up documents. Ibrahim, that was his name, became furious, ‘How dare you!’ he said, ‘We’ve been neighbours for years and we trust each other’.
THEODOSIS
Why was he so angry?
CHLOE
Next day my husband and Ibrahim went to the bank. The cashier wanted to see documents but Ibrahim told him off and demanded the money be transferred to our account straight away. My husband then asked him what interest rate he wanted. In those days many people had to borrow from loan sharks.
THEODOSIS
I work for the Bank of Cyprus. In the old days loan sharks charged ridiculous rates. The moment people had any difficulties paying, their houses went up for auction and they were made homeless.
CHLOE
Ibrahim was a good man. He had no children of his own and had known my daughters ever since they were born. He got upset at the suggestion of any interest. He said to my husband, ‘Andonis, I am not going to take this money with me when I die. I know you will pay me back. It’s my pleasure to help’.
MATHEOS
I know what you mean yiayia. We have Turkish Cypriot neighbours too and we’ve got on well together for many years.
CHLOE
We built two houses and every year after harvest we paid some money back. It took us 10 years. My daughters got married and had children. But now we’re running for our lives! My sons-in-law are fighting and my daughters wouldn’t leave. They begged me to take the little ones to Limassol to stay with relatives.
MATHEOS
May God help us.
CHLOE
Curse these EOKA B bastards! We’ve lost everything, our land, our way of life and good neighbours.
There is a brief silence.
MATHEOS
We’ve heard many stories and many tragedies. Some say the Turks are taking their revenge for what we did to them ten years ago. All I want and hope for is that my son Stelios is still alive.
CHLOE
Amen yie mou, apo to stoma sou kai stou Theou t’aftia (From your mouth to God’s ears)
Chloe crosses herself. Theodosis turns and motions to the children.
THEODOSIS
I hope their parents are safe and well.
Chloe shakes her head and looks worried. Theodosis and Matheos look at each other.
INT: CAR – PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAYTIME
THEODOSIS
I couldn’t get what we had yesterday so today we’ve got ham.
MATHEOS
I’ve heard we shot down two more planes this morning, with the three from yesterday that makes five.
EXT: PENTATHAKTILOS MOUNTAIN RANGE – DAYTIME
Matheos and Theodosis stop near a wooded area to take a leak. The sounds of war a few miles away shake the ground as they stand.
On the way back to the car they notice a pile of spent ammunition left behind and, not far from that, a dead donkey lying on the ground.
MATHEOS
This is near my village, Vouno. My brother Giannakos worked here breaking limestone with a sledgehammer to make lime. As a young boy I brought him lunch, bread, olives and an onion! He ate a whole loaf of bread every day and was still thin as a rake!
Theodosis notices some movement in the corner of his eye
THEODOSIS
Shh, what’s that over there?
Although scared, they go to check.
Theodosis pulls back a few branches and is startled by a child’s face, which quickly vanishes into the darkness. Matheos runs after the boy, who sprints round another bush.
Matheos and Theodosis follow and find the boy and his grandmother and siblings.
EXT: PETROL STATION – NIGHT
The car stops and Matheos fills up with petrol while Theodosis goes inside.
The family they saw earlier all get out of the car and stretch their legs.
Theodosis comes back and hands the kids some sweets and drinks. Matheos sees jeeps driving south in the opposite direction; he turns to the mother.
MATHEOS
They’re retreating?
WOMAN
Not all of them. When we left our village all the officers had already fled the front.
MATHEOS
Who’s holding the front line then?
WOMAN
Just ordinary kids with world war two rifles!
At the petrol station YIANNIS, 45 years old, approaches them and shows them a photo.
YIANNIS
Yeia sas (hello), my name is Yannis and I’m looking for my son, his name is Marios. Here’s his photo. Have you seen him or heard anything? He’s been missing since this cursed invasion.
They both carefully look at the photo of a young man.
THEODOSIS
We’re sorry Yianni but no, we haven’t seen your son. We’re doing the same thing, looking for my son Stelios. Here’s his photo.
YIANNIS
I’ve been driving round these mountains for days but no, sorry, I haven’t come across this young man. It’s absolute chaos here. No one knows what’s happening. Is this your son?
THEODOSIS
No, Stelios is the son of Matheos here. Like you, we’ve been driving for days. Are you from this area?
As Yiannis starts to talk he is looking at a young boy trying to open a bottle of 7up. He kneels down and opens the bottle and hands it back to the boy.
YIANNIS
I’m from Lysi. You know, I believed in Enosis, but now, all I care about is my son. I don’t care if the Turks take over the whole of Cyprus so long as my son is safe.
MATHEOS
O Theos na mas philaei (may God protect us)
The pair watch the exhausted children be shepherded back into the car.
YIANNIS
This is the prayer I repeat every day: A son, grown to manhood with a thousand and one sacrifices, tall, erect and proud like a cypress tree; a son who walked like a god and behind his footsteps sprang thyme and rosemary and was the pride and joy of his mother who is now sick with worry.
MATHEOS
My wife hasn’t slept for days either.
YIANNIS
There’s nothing worse not knowing where he is, well or sick, hiding or injured. Here I am, useless, not able to offer him a drink, a hug, or comfort and protect him as I always did from every evil.
MATHEOS
(With a tear in his eyes)
We know.
THEODOSIS
Good luck! Kouragio! (Have patience and determination) We must make a move back to Larnaca. It’s been a long day.
YIANNIS
Good luck to you too. May God be with you.
The group get into the car and drive off.
THEODOSIS (VO)
We got into the car and carried on, there was nothing else but to carry on.
As Deme gets ready to ask another question, Theodosis’ son LEONIDAS, 48 years old, enters the house and greets Deme. They sit down and catch up.
LEONIDAS
Yeia sou, Deme. What’s the matter? You look a bit worried.
DEME
There’s a lot going on right now but don’t mind me. I hear you’re now Deputy Principal at the high school. Congratulations!
LEONIDAS
It’s actually a lot of extra work for very little pay. I must tell you, I really liked what you said at the funeral it so important that these things are expressed. I didn’t expect to get a mention. Of course I was too young to remember.
DEME
Listen Leonida, you must come to this bi-communal event in Nicosia. Its aim is to honour people who saved victims from the other community.
LEONIDAS
Sounds good, about time we had something like that for a change. All you hear these days is nationalistic drumbeats and how barbaric the Turks are. The borders have been open for five years but the propaganda still continues. Do you have any leaflets?
Deme takes out some leaflets from his bag and starts handing them out.
DEME
They push the idea that people only go over to the north to gamble and for prostitutes. They don’t want ordinary people talking to each other. Our event wants to bring people together and build bridges. You should come and pass on these stories to the next generation.
LEONIDAS
Heroes like my father should be there too.
THEODOSIS
There was nothing heroic about what we did. We did it out of desperation and because there was no other choice.
EXT: CAR – DUSK – 1974
Theodosis lights a cigarette as he watches Matheos showing a photo of Stelios to a soldier. It’s getting dark and you can hear the rumble of artillery in the background. Matheos walks over to the car where Theodosis is smoking.
MATHEOS
He says that the entire front is cut off.
THEODOSIS
What are they doing here?
Matheos points at EOKA B members with modern guns next to a modern jeep.
Matheos and Theodosis get in the car and drive off. As they pull away another truck drives passed. Theodosis turns sharply, as he thought he saw an arm and a face in the back of the truck.
INT: CAR – NIGHT
It’s dark as the car reaches the outskirts of Larnaca.
THEODOSIS
It looks like the front line has collapsed and the Turkish army is advancing at will. Do you think they’ll occupy the whole country?
MATHEOS
Right now I don’t care about anything other than finding Stelios. Why did I let him go?
THEODOSIS
Don’t do this to yourself Matheo. This is not your fault, but how long can we keep this up? Have you thought that we might need to start making arrangements for our families?
MATHEOS
Theodosi mou! Thank you for all your support. You have your family to worry about now and you must do what you have to do. And the same for me, I’ll do what I have to do.
They are both silent as the car pulls into Ays Giannis.
EXT. AYS GIANNIS – HOUSE – SAME
The car pulls up at Matheos’ house and they notice Elli shouting at a lorry driver passing their house. The back of the lorry is full of furniture and other goods, driving away from the Turkish Cypriot neighbourhood.
ELLI
What the hell do you think you’re doing? You should be in the front line fighting the Turks like our children are. You wanted mother Greece to take over but now all you’re interested in, is lining your own pockets!
LORRY DRIVER
Shut up silly old woman!
ELLI
Greece is not our mother; it’s our stepmother that hates us. You destroyed peace and people’s homes! You’re not patriots, you’re gangsters and thieves!
The lorry is driven away by a very red-faced driver; Matheos parks outside having caught the end of the incident.
INT: CAR – SAME
THEODOSIS
Same time tomorrow morning?
Matheos nods. Gets out of the car and walks up to Elli.
EXT. AYS GIANNIS – HOUSE – SAME
MATHEOS
Elli, calm down! These people don’t care; you’re just wasting your breath and getting high blood pressure. Remember what the doctor said.
ELLI
Look at these scum. They caused this catastrophe and now they’re looting. All they care about is becoming rich while our kids are getting killed. Where is my Stelios? What’s happened to my eldest son? (She sobs with her head in her hands.)
CUT TO:
INT: THEODOSIS’ HOUSE – DAY – 2009
Deme leans forward.
DEME
What happened in the end?
EXT: REFUGEE CAMPL – DAY – 1974
There are hundreds of desperate people clambering for space in a packed refugee camp.
THEODOSIS (VO)
The day came when it was fruitless. The war stopped. The borders were closed. The only avenue was the authorities.
Theodosis and Matheos help others install makeshift toilets and washing facilities while speaking with people and showing them Stelios’ photo.
THEODOSIS (VO)
We travelled to refugee camps, helped build toilets and other facilities while trying to find out if anyone knew anything. So many people Deme, you’ve never seen so many desperate people.
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