VR documentary “The Green Line” becomes a reality thanks to UNIC
Back in 2014, when a group of creative and technology-driven individuals decided to virtually document the Cyprus Buffer Zone, not many people stood by their endeavour. As is the case with all innovative attempts, most people were not convinced as to how such an ambitious project could stand up to the required technological standards these youngsters were aiming at.
The challenges they had to face were significant. In order to make this project happen, they had to enter a zone where no other man or woman other than the United Nations personnel had stepped foot in since 1963. And they needed a –rather rare, for Cyprus standards- VR equipment in order to deliver the desired result.
When they approached UNIC, seeking support to make this project happen, they were happily surprised. Not only did the University believed in their vision, but it also carried the actual means to make a Virtual Reality documentary a “reality”.
With practical guidance, high-tech equipment and financial support by the University, the Green Line team managed to film, escorted by the UN, what remains of the abandoned villages of Selemani, Varisheia, and the abandoned Nicosia International Airport.
Exceptional for its high-end content, the 6-minute documentary premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 2018 and has since then been winning awards in prestigious festivals around the globe. The documentary was also honoured at 16 other international film festivals, winning “Best VR Film” four times. This highly disruptive – for the filming industry standards – documentary, puts Cyprus at the core of the VR world map and is a testimony to the University’s mission to serve and facilitate excellence in all aspects of knowledge.
Its exclusive premiere in Cyprus took place last week at the A. G. Leventis Gallery, and was attended by the Government Spokesman, Mr. Prodromos Prodromou, the Finance Minister, Mr. Harris Georgiades and by more than 120 other esteemed state and government officials, UN representatives, ambassadors, directors, artists and business stakeholders.
Addressing the event, Mr. Prodromou stated: “It is very encouraging that in our days, despite all the well-known difficulties, new creators defy the limits and deliver promising projects in the art of making motion pictures in Cyprus. Here tonight we have a very special example of this.”
In his welcome note, the CEO of the University of Nicosia, Mr. Antonis Polemitis remarked: “The decision of our University to support, as co-producer, this very promising documentary, relates to our mission to promote excellence in all aspects of knowledge. This innovative project disrupts today’s filming standards and proudly represents our country at an international level by showcasing not only the island’s history and natural wealth, but also its artistic and technological capacity. The project’s outstanding and much-awarded result is a testimony to our decision to invest in technological equipment, which was used for the first time in Cyprus, and due to which such ambitious and technologically demanding projects, as is ‘The Green Line’, can now become reality.”
On behalf of the production team, Mr. Dimitrios Economou thanked the University of Nicosia for its invaluable support throughout all stages of the project, but mostly for its kind gesture to provide high-tech VR equipment, without which this documentary would not be able to happen. Adding to that, Mr. Economou stated that the team’s objective was to document the Green Line as objectively as possible. “It is our hope that through this film, we will allow each and every viewer, especially the viewers here in Cyprus, who have their own interpretation of what the UN Buffer Zone is, to also enter as they wish. And to each take with them their own personal meaning from their experience.”
The Green Line will be screening throughout April every Wednesday (2pm – 10pm), Friday (2pm – 10pm), Saturday (10am – 5pm) and Sunday (10am – 5pm) at the A.G Leventis Gallery. Entrance for the public is free.
