Between the 1920’s and 1950’s a time when Cyprus was under British rule, Turkish Cypriot fathers were accepting dowries from Arab men for their young daughters hand in marriage. These men, usually from Palestine, would then take their young fair colored brides back to their hometown. While some of the girls, usually aged between 12 and 16 were treated kindly, many alas were made to work as servants, whilst others were sold into prostitution. What happened to the 4000 young Cypriot girls sold into marriage is to this day unknown. This film will follow Pembe Mentesh, an Australian born Cypriot as she delves into the past and investigates how, why, to whom and at what cost her great aunt Fetine Memish was sold. We will follow the investigation process as Pembe looks into archival records and talks to family, past neighbors and historians whilst traveling to Palestine to follow her leads. We intend to find Fetine Memish or at least her immediate family and by doing so bring closure for both her family and the entire Turkish Cypriot community.
The development of this documentary is supported by the MEDIA development programme of the European Union.
Directed by: Yeliz Shukhri
Produced by: Stavros Papageorghiou
Research by: Pembe Mentesh
Duration: 52'
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