“For five years” – a phrase that lingered like a constant refrain on the lips of thousands of migrants as they departed from Greece and Cyprus in the last century. These words became the source of inspiration for the creation of an ambitious documentary, dedicated to Hellenism in the Fifth Continent.
For the vast majority of those who chose the path of expatriation, guided by the stark necessity of survival, the return to their homeland after the passing of the fabled five-year period ultimately remained an unfulfilled dream. How did they endure the pain of parting from their native land and their loved ones? What hardships did they face during the journey and after their arrival in Australia? How did they succeed in establishing themselves and in prospering? How did they preserve and pass on to their children their language, their traditions, and their cultural identity as a whole? And, finally, for what reasons did those “five years” become an entire lifetime spent abroad?
These questions, and many others besides, are answered in the documentary “FOR 5 YEARS – The Return That Never Came”, which is already in production by the companies “Story Frames” and “Nephos Ilaron”, under the directorial guidance of Markellos Petropoulos.
This cinematic production is the first of its kind to attempt a comprehensive and substantive survey of the migration of Greeks and Cypriots to Australia, and of the building of a second homeland in the Antipodes. It is a journey through life, dedicated to the migrant father and mother who, through countless hardships and indescribable sacrifices, laid firm foundations for the bright future of their children.
At the heart of this tribute lies the portrayal of the journey of those who once took the difficult decision to depart, crossed turbulent seas, and began a new life from nothing in an unfamiliar land. The interviews and filming are being carried out in Greece, Cyprus, and Australia, while the production also draws upon and brings to light a rare archival treasure, the fruit of a decade-long process of collection and documentation, comprising a rich body of photographic and audiovisual material.
The documentary “FOR 5 YEARS: The Return That Never Came” is intended to be presented in cinemas, on television networks, at international documentary festivals, and on digital platforms, with the sole aim of showcasing and highlighting the lives, the historical legacy, and the values of Greek and Cypriot migrants in Australia.
Further information about this ambitious project will be announced in the coming period.
