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Filmed in the hauntingly abandoned streets of Varosha, Gomsu (Neighbour) captures the lingering scars of Cyprus’s turbulent past. This award-winning film, a poignant exploration of memory and resilience, will be screened at the Cyprus High Commission in London on December 4. The event, part of the “Cyprus Culture in the UK” initiative, is supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture. Gomsu first captivated audiences in July during the Cyprus Insula exhibition in Nicosia, a celebration of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Directed by Sholeh Zahraei and Kamil Saldun, Gomsu tells the story of Şenay, a Turkish Cypriot woman yearning to reconnect with her Greek Cypriot neighbor, Elena. Long after the invasion, Şenay leaves flowers on Elena’s door when she doesn’t answer—a reflection of a cherished Cypriot tradition where visitors use flowers as a sign of their presence, with personal arrangements serving as signatures.
This simple yet profound act becomes a metaphor for the enduring effects of conflict and the human longing for reconciliation. The film closes with a dedication to “women who developed the culture of leaving flowers at the doors of neighbors and loved ones when they were unable to find them home.”
The abandoned house in the film is a symbol of the displacement experienced by countless Greek and Turkish Cypriots. “Cyprus’s history of conflict and forced migration has left an intergenerational sense of loss,” Saldun explained. The filmmakers highlight shared memories and emotions, weaving together layers of history, culture, and collective trauma in the quest for healing.
Starring Saldun and Şenay Aktug, with cinematography by Arinc Arısoy and Fadi Hijaz and music by Savina Yannatou, Gomsu offers a deeply moving narrative. Zahraei, a filmmaker based in Germany and Cyprus, has collaborated with Saldun on numerous creative projects since 2011.
This London screening ties into the Cyprus Insula exhibition, which runs in Nicosia until June 30, 2025, at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. Using immersive technologies, the exhibit explores Cyprus’s recent history, offering visitors a window into shared struggles and hopes for peace.
