Attilas '74

Personally, I found it at least breathtaking watching scenes from life in Cyprus back in those awful days. In my opinion, Cacoyanis did not propagandize against the Turks, but against the external forces who had their own interests on the island. And by external forces I mean USA(CIA), Britain and their obedient followers like the Greek military coup generals and the Turkish regime (was it ever more democratic than a military coup?). Cacoyanis is not avoiding to point out the blame (and shame) of EOKA B. And when referring to Turks, we reckon he means the Turkish soldiers and not the Turkish-Cypriot people, who were till then living side by side with Greek-Cypriots. No one denies that Cypriots,be it both Greek and Turks, were the sole victims of this tragedy, but I don't think that Cacoyanis could possibly have a documented testimony from the latter at that time. I think it's a miracle that he had the chance and guts to make such a documentary in years of fear and uncertainty. But still he could have pursued the truth in a more complete form, by having some Turkish-Cypriots testifying their own experience.

As the great director Akira Kurosawa proved in "rashomon," there are many sides to one story. Sure this film by one of Greece's best directors ever has gripping moments, but the film is far from being objective. It should be noted that I am half-Turkish, but I still look forward to a well-balanced docu on the issues aflicting Cyprus. It is an issue everyone should exmaine, but I don't think this film does the job because of its' subjective stance.

I found this film interesting because it documents very thoroughly the events of the 1974 war in Cyprus(and the occurrences leading up to it) in a very interesting light. It is very informative, though it be one-sided in its' information that it chooses to provide. However, its' side is represented well with the presentation of many facts and touching cinematic sequences, and shows a completeness in its' study and documentation of the war. It presents the reality of the situation and the problems that were faced by the people in Cyprus on a very human level, and it is the sort of film that you cannot easily forget.

Overall, if you enjoy historical or political films, and have any remote interest in the Mediterranean political situation, I would recommend it. Otherwise, one might not find the film to be particularly interesting or good, in spite of the beautiful shots of Cyprus and touching stories told by those caught in the tragedy.

Michalis Kakogiannis is an excellent director and has directed well-known tragedies in world cinema such as Iphigenia, Electra and The Trojan Women.

"Attilas '74" unfortunately erases the tragedy that island went through and let some commentators (Turks) do not want to admit it, shows the sufferings that the Greek Cypriots have gone through such as poverty, refugee, famine, war and kill over 1000 with the invasion of Turkey in 1974 on the island that still shows that it came peacefully (propaganda).

The documentary is real and is a punch in the stomach.

Viewing this powerful documentary caused me great sorrow knowing the events that caused the innocent people of Cyprus such loss and anguish and continues to do so. Personally I feel shame as I was a marine stationed aboard a ship in the U.S. fleet that was involved in evacuating refugees (American and European) from Cyprus. Earlier our forces were involved in a NATO military exercise with the Turks that was the cover for there invasion of Cyprus just as a year earlier the joint U.S.-Chilean naval exercise was a cover for the overthrow of Allende. I feel shame for America and Britain (especially for being a guarantor of Cypriot sovereignty) to allow Turkey (that wants to annex Cyprus or parts of it) to invade and still occupy 4o% of a country and for its armed forces to massacre innocent people. Greater is the tragedy because many Turks have Greek blood in their veins, with Greek speaking lands being under Turkish (Seljuk or Ottoman) domination for centuries and its subject peoples converted to Islam for economic or spiritual reasons or being forced to for survival. It is tragic that the fate of smaller or less powerful countries and its peoples be used as pawns to appease the powers that be. Every nation and culture that has risen will also fall, nothing lasts forever and what you sow you will reap. Hopefully mankind will learn this message before it is too late.