The creator of ‘Find Me Falling,’ the first Cypriot production to cross the Netflix threshold, reveals the true meaning of life.
Text: Romina Xyda
Photos: Panagiotis Mina
Growing up in South Africa as the child of immigrants, every visit to Cyprus meant family to Stelana Κliris. On the other hand, every film was the discovery of a world she wanted to make her own: “For me, Cyprus –where my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins lived– meant home, along with all the warmth, food, dancing, and love that comes with that word. As an only child, I spent a lot of time watching TV or reading books, wanting to become a part of that world. When I first saw the movie ‘The Sound of Music’ at the age of six, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I loved how the power of stories could transport you somewhere else, offering an escape from reality. I’ve always had a soft spot for romantic comedies as well.”
One such romantic comedy is ‘Find Me Falling,’ which was born in Stelana’s mind through a true story: “I had read an article about a very kind man in Australia who lived near a suicide hotspot and had saved many lives. I’m deeply interested in stories about human connection, family, and the idea of sacrifice for the ones you love, and I managed to combine these themes in the film. Bringing it to life has been a source of immense joy and pride for me. The journey was full of challenges, especially due to the pandemic, but my team and I worked hard to bring this project to life. The fact that we received such a positive response from the public is simply magical.”
The film conveys many messages, but which stands out the most to its creator? “That, at the end of the day, the greatest legacy you can leave behind is how you treated others: the kindness you showed, which people will always remember you for.”
