The stories of women in war zones

One of Cyprus’ best known actresses has worked across mediums, with her latest project putting the spotlight on the women of the island finds PAUL LAMBIS

Nedie Antoniades is a veteran of many films, as well as TV and stage credits, often portraying strong and courageous women. Her talent and charisma have cemented her place among the most celebrated Cypriot actresses of her generation.

Born in Washington, DC to Greek Cypriot parents, Antoniades graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Emerson College in Boston and began her career in accredited theatre productions in the US.

However, it was during her school years she realised that the stage was where she belonged after watching a theatrical improvisation by her art teacher, British artist Glyn Hughes. “I was seven years old, and, although it was not something I could articulate at the time, the seed for acting had already been planted,” Antoniades said.

“I grew up with parents and grandparents who made a point of taking us to the theatre and encouraging me to watch specific films,” Antoniades told Living. “When the time came to choose, I was certain that this was what I wanted to pursue for a career.”

Upon her return to her native Cyprus, Antoniades joined the cast of the Cyprus National Theatre starring in productions of Antigone, Faust, Trojan Women, Medea, and The Inspector General, among other notable plays.

She recalled the pivotal moment when she first watched Olympia Dukakis at the Academy Awards and felt a strong sense of connection. “This person reminded me of myself in several ways. She was a woman, a Greek American actress, and she was inspirationally unique,” she said. “I was really fortunate in later life to get to meet her personally.”

Dukakis’ perseverance, outspokenness, activism and strength served as an inspiration for Antoniades. She was also influenced by the qualities of several strong female role models in theatre and film, including legendary Greek actress Mimi Denissi, a prominent force in Greek theatre.

Antoniades had the opportunity to perform alongside Denissi in the theatrical period piece My Beloved Smyrna, which depicts the 1922 massacre and ethnic cleansing of the Greek and Armenian population.

“I have the utmost respect for Mimi’s ability to produce meaningful work with important life lessons, as well as nurturing new talent,” Antoniades said.

The lack of the female narrative and voice in theatrical productions prompted her, together with local directors Magdalena Zira and Athina Kasiou to establish Project SEASON Women, an independent platform consisting of a series of theatrical performances and associated events that examine women’s social status.

“We created the project as a reaction to a widespread indifference towards issues of equal representation, diversity and social consciousness that we saw reflected in the repertory of most theatres,” she said.

In 2021, Antoniades reprised her role in My Beloved Smyrna, however this time for the film adaptation. “The film is by far, to date, the biggest and most demanding production I have ever been engaged in, and I am fortunate to have Mimi as a mentor who has introduced me to so many people and exposed me to various experiences.”

Antoniades places a great deal of importance on her involvement in productions that highlight the difficulties refugees face when fleeing their homes and the sanctuary they find in other countries.

“There is a sense of responsibility that one cannot help but have when sharing the stories of displaced people. Both the parallels and the repetition are never ending, whether it was the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Smyrna massacre, the Syrian crisis, and even more recently the war in Ukraine.”

Following a sold out run of the 2022 production, Women Walk Home, Project SEASON Women returns in January with a limited series of performances of the play created with the methodology of verbatim theatre, a genre that uses real-life testimonies as the axis of its structure.

Women Walk Home was a non-partisan, politically independent, non-violent movement of women from all walks of Cyprus life, whose goal was to demonstrate to the world that their right to free movement in their homeland was being violated.

“We collected real-life testimonies over a period of two years. Through the poetry of theatre, the courageous, heroic, and emotional accounts of these women shed light on what has remained hidden for years.”

Women Walk Home “brings to life personal testimonies that carry the thread of a universal story about women in war zones.”

Nedie Antoniades is arguably one of the island’s most celebrated actresses who, through her work, spreads positive and empowering information, champions good causes and speaks up about the issues that are close to her heart.