Educational Media Reviews Online

There has been generational hatred between Greeks and Turks for centuries. This film centers upon a Turk who moved his family to Greece in 1970 and returns to Turkey in the present day to take stock of this persistent prejudice. Through interviews and footage of cultural events, the filmmakers grimly and all too clearly demonstrate the nearly institutional hatred between the two.

The central figure of this sobering work puzzles over and explores the mutual prejudices and the different ethnocentric histories taught in schools in the respective countries. Both sides have centuries-old artifacts, documents, and artwork with graphic depictions of violence inflicted by the “other side,” and saintly representations of heroes of the homeland side. Interestingly, when the filmmakers interview separate selections of Turks and Greeks, asking if they considered themselves to be fanatics, people responded, “No,” or gave no answer at all. This documentary is replete with such examples of deeply rooted animosity. It is simply mind boggling to see school children act out state-sponsored plays, parades, and reenactments laced with prejudice and jingoism. Although the film presents these people as the distinct minority, there are a few bright examples of unbiased townspeople. Thankfully, the film ends on a positive note, with interviews with very young children who say that they seek to make friends with the other side.

This is a courageous film like no other, examining a perennial divide that Western civilization may have a difficult time understanding. Although there are no examples of physical violence against Turks in Greece or against Greeks in Turkey, this work is deeply troubling. As disheartening as it is, this work is unquestionably enlightening.

In terms of production, the director/camera operator seemed to adopt an approach of “there is no ‘behind the camera.’” That is, this film is very much about its own filmmaking. From time to time, people in the camera crew join discussions to give a spontaneous and genuine feel to the work.