THE GREENLINE

I have been looking at divided countries. Berlin, which was a divided Capital until 1989, is an important reference because I am trying to show a global problem. These borders and boundaries have existed and still exist, for example, in places like North and South Korea, and Ireland.

I am using Cyprus to represent this problem. The two – kilometer stretch, known as the “Greenline” , in the center of the Cypriot Capital Nicosia has been in a time warp for over a quarter of a century (30 years), strictly out of bounds for both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and has been manned by United Nations Soldiers since 1963.

Today the Greenline is not only a physical barrier, but also a psychological one, between generations, those old and young. It is the only divided capital in the world – a line on the map, grim barbed wire on the ground that can be touched and felt, and is forever present – a harsh sign of occupation.

My video is about borders and boundaries. This is a story about the psychological and sociological walls that divide people and persons. Cyprus, “The Greenline” is my example. This wall exists in almost every city or country in the world. It is a wall between different races or ethnic groups living in different neighborhoods. In the psychological aspect the wall represents the boundaries between parents children or husbands and wives.

The making of: