Famagusta

Turkey's 1974 invasion of Cyprus and the ensuing ethnic cleansing are crimes against humanity unreservedly condemned by the United Nations, the US, and the EU, yet this tragedy remains widely unknown.

FAMAGUSTA, named after the city infamously and mercilessly turned into a ghost-town by the Turkish invasion forces, painstakingly recreates the circumstances, human toll, and pure barbarity of the Turkish invasion, based on real-life testimony of victims and their families. It was the Ukraine of its time, unspeakable brutality that shocked the world.

Turkey, a guarantor power of the territorial integrity of Cyprus under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, instead tore it apart and savaged its people. An atrocious crime to this day unpunished, but vividly brought to life by FAMAGUSTA.

Was really looking forward to watching this as the story is intriguing with an interesting geo-political dynamic. However, despite well thought out cinematography and better than average acting, Famagusta is unfortunately let down by incredible historical and factual inaccuracies.

The timeline seems to start in 1974 when actual troubles between the two communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriots) and the guarantor powers (Turkey, Greece and the UK) began more than a decade earlier - all vital to the story and provides invaluable context but this seems to have been glanced over. The Greek invasion, ENOSIS and the AKRITAS plan have been glorified and the Turkish intervention demonised - all incorrect.

It's quite apparent that the producers and directors were out to paint a very specific, loaded picture of what is generally considered to be a 'brainwashed' view of historical fact. A shame really, had potential.

Famagusta is a powerful depiction of the events that occurred that resulted in the illegal occupation of Cyprus. It's a chilling reminder of how history repeats itself, and it brings up a conflict that is not explored in mainstream media.

The depiction of events and the superb acting draws you in, and even if you have no knowledge of what happened, you can relate to the characters as if it had affected you personally. Every family in Cyprus has similar tragic stories to tell that have affected them personally or have affected those close to them.

Series like Famagusta should be aired all over the world, and just the fact that this show has been banned in Turkey is reason enough to watch it.

The truth events on what happened to Cyprus in 1974 with the illegal and violent turkish invasion.

History canl not change and if u visit Cyprus you will see that whole Cyprus was and is greek.

With the illegal invasion half a century ago, and the misleading turkish tourist agents or those agents who are funded and promoted to miseducate tourists and visitors.

Unfortunately many of the visitors dont care about history at all but at least some programs must show the truth out of it and never stop fighting against the wrong and misleading works of the turkish propaganda. So watch to get an idea, even without the vandalism of the churches.

It's unfortunate to see some trying to overshadow the historical reality of the events in Cyprus by storming reviews with dismissive comments. The 1974 Turkish invasion, a period of immense loss and suffering, continues to be a sensitive topic for many. It's sad how easily some attempt to downplay or distort this painful history.

Famagusta delicately explores the personal tragedies born from that period, focusing on a young couple whose lives are torn apart on the day of the invasion. The heartbreaking loss of their three-month-old baby during the chaos is just the beginning of their 50-year struggle to reunite with their child.

What sets this series apart is its ability to weave the raw emotions of displacement, fear, and the aftermath of war with historical context. It offers a profound narrative that doesn't just focus on the loss of land and identity, but also the deeper, more personal tragedies that followed the invasion.

For anyone looking to understand the human impact of these events, Famagusta offers an emotional, character-driven exploration. The series is a reminder of the stories that get lost in history books but linger painfully in the memories of those who lived through them.