Cinema on the Island: Films Connected to the Republic of Cyprus

A film’s “hero” isn’t always a character played by an actor. Sometimes the true lead is the location itself: streets and promenades, mountain villages, salt lakes, and ancient ruins. The setting shapes the atmosphere, sets the pace of the story, and often becomes that “magnet” that makes you want to rewatch the film—or even follow the characters’ route in real life.
Cyprus is perfect for this: within a short distance you can find both a Mediterranean postcard view and a European-style town, with plenty of sunshine and striking scenery. That’s why the island appears in films from time to time—either as a real place on the map or as a versatile backdrop for the plot.

Below are films in which the action takes place partly or entirely in Cyprus.

• Jiu-Jitsu: Battle for Earth (2020)
• Othello: The Tragedy of the Moor of Venice (1951)
• Othello (1965)
• Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
• Fish 'n Chips (2011)
• Exodus (1960)
• Knifer (2010)
• Small Crime (2008)
• High Bright Sun (1965)
• The Beloved (1970)
• S.O.S. Survive (2020)
• Committed (2014)
• Roads and Oranges (1996)
• A Shot in Cyprus (1965)
• The Palace (2011)
• A View from the Cliff (2024)
• Monday Ghosts (2022)
• Smuggling Hendrix (2018)

Jiu Jitsu: The Battle for Earth (2020)

The action film “Jiu Jitsu: The Battle for Earth” (2020) starring Nicolas Cage is a notable example of a Hollywood production filmed in Cyprus. Shooting took place in Nicosia and Paphos, where dramatic battles unfold against a backdrop of ancient landscapes. The film highlights the island’s appeal to the international film industry, combining sci-fi elements with a historical atmosphere.

Othello: The Tragedy of the Moor of Venice (1951)

A Moorish general, Othello, is manipulated into believing his new wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with his lieutenant, Michael Cassio. In reality, it’s all part of a scheme by the cunning ensign Iago.

Othello (1965)

Another adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, written with inspiration from a fortress commander in Famagusta. General Othello's marriage unravels as the vengeful Iago convinces him of his new wife’s infidelity.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the 12th-century Crusades, becoming a defender of the city and its people. Along the way, he visits Cyprus.

Fish 'n Chips (2011)

A hardworking Cypriot immigrant in London finally opens his own fish and chips shop. But his dream turns into a nightmare as he realizes one small problem: Cyprus is not London.

Exodus (1960)

The story begins on a ship with Jewish emigrants heading to Israel, who are disembarked in Cyprus. An intelligence officer manages to get them back onboard, but the harbor is blocked by the British, leading to tense negotiations.

Knifer (2010)

A Greek Cypriot drama by Yannis Economides. After his father’s death, Nikos moves from Ptolemaida to Athens. His uncle provides food and shelter, and he starts taking care of the dogs. Isolated in a suburban area, he sinks into routine misery until a shift in his relationship with his aunt changes everything.

Small Crime (2008)

Leonidas, a young, ambitious police officer, is assigned to a remote island in the Aegean. Dreaming of solving major crimes, he finds few opportunities in the sleepy beach community. But when local drunkard Zacharias is found dead at the foot of a cliff, Leonidas uncovers evidence connecting the victim to popular TV host Angeliki.

High Bright Sun (1965)

During Cyprus’s struggle for independence from Britain, an American archaeology student visiting the island is caught between two opposing sides.

The Beloved (1970)

Amid Cyprus’s civil war, a British peacekeeper tries to prevent a Greek partisan from escalating tensions further.

S.O.S. Survive (2020)

Sisters Kate and Liz live on different continents and rarely see each other. To reconnect, they decide to vacation together in Cyprus. Kate befriends fellow adrenaline enthusiasts and goes on a hot air balloon ride. When the balloon clips wind turbine blades and descends into the sea without communication, Liz becomes an unwitting witness to a crime, placing her in mortal danger.

Committed (2014)

A romantic road movie set on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. A chance meeting between a man pressured to propose to his girlfriend and a runaway bride leads to unexpected adventures.

Roads and Oranges (1996)

Two sisters, who lost their father during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, learn he may still be alive and travel to Turkey to find him.

A Shot in Cyprus (1965)

A Finnish UN soldier falls in love with a beautiful Greek Cypriot woman. Their mutual affection faces challenges due to cultural differences and language barriers.

The Palace (2011)

Cyprus, 1974. A Cypriot family flees advancing Turkish forces and takes refuge in an abandoned Ottoman-era palace. A young Turkish Cypriot soldier comes face to face with the family, confronting the harsh realities of war and his role in it.

A View from the Cliff (2024)

After a failed album, rock star John Allman retreats to a picturesque Mediterranean island, only to discover his new cliffside home has a sinister reputation and attracts unwelcome visitors.

Monday Ghosts (2022)

A chilling story about a group of American filmmakers who travel to Cyprus to document a tragedy at the once-famous "Gula" hotel, where over 100 people mysteriously died. What begins as a routine shoot turns into a horrifying journey into the unknown.

Smuggling Hendrix (2018)

Yiannis, an aging musician planning to leave Cyprus for a better life abroad, finds his plans derailed when his dog crosses the buffer zone separating the “Greek South” from the “Turkish North.” Will he be able to bring the dog back?

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