Historical Documentary Animation

NAMA OF THE CYPRIOTS

The Story of Commandaria

Animation Direction and Production

A WINE WITH MEMORY

NAMA of the Cypriots – The Story of Commandaria is a twenty-minute documentary exploring the history of Commandaria, one of the world’s oldest named wines, through a blend of live-action storytelling and carefully crafted animated sequences.

The animation was directed and produced by one and a half, an animation studio based in Cyprus, bringing key historical moments to life through visual interpretation.

Commissioned by the Press and Information Office of Cyprus and produced in collaboration with Media Studios and director Stavros Pamballis, the film traces the cultural journey of the wine across centuries of trade, ritual and identity.

Extract sequence from the full film: Richard the Lionheart Conquering Lands and Hands

GIVING FORM TO HISTORY

Commissioned through a government competition, the project was produced in collaboration with Media Studios and director Stavros Pamballis.

Our visual development and animation direction formed a central component of the proposal.

Four and a half minutes of original 2D animation were created to support key historical passages within the documentary.

Still image of Templar Knights disembarking in Cyprus

The development process required research into historical and literary sources to preserve accuracy in the visual language. Attire, architecture, props and environments were carefully constructed to reflect specific periods while maintaining visual cohesion.

The aesthetic carries subtle references to medieval visual traditions, adapted into a refined and broadcast-oriented animation style.

Still image Aphrodite and Dyonisous depicted on an ancient aphorae

Each frame was composed with careful attention to colour, atmosphere and spatial depth, allowing the animation to carry a cinematic presence within the documentary structure.

Rather than functioning as illustrative inserts, the animated sequences create visual transitions, deepen historical context and add interpretative layers to the live action narrative.

French Poet Henry d'Andeli writing the poem 'the Battle of the wines'

EXPANDING CONTEXT

The animation was developed over an eight month production period, integrating closely with the film’s editorial structure.

Within the documentary, animation functions as a bridge between research, archive and narration, giving visual presence to moments that cannot be captured on camera.

Extract sequence from the full film: Grape Harvest and Wine Production in Ancient Times.

CONTINUING DIRECTION

This approach reflects the studio’s interest in historically grounded storytelling, where animation becomes part of the narrative architecture rather than an illustrative addition.

Still image from the final documentary for the Battle of Tremetoussia sequence.

Image still of the battle of Tremetousia between Richard the Lionheart's army and Issaak's army

Development exploration for the Battle of Tremetoussia sequence where Richard the Lionheart's army defeated Isaak Komnenos' army and claimed Cyprus.

Development image of the battle of Tremetoussia Level 4
Development image of the battle of Tremetoussia Level 3
Development image of the battle of Tremetoussia Level 2
Development image of the battle of Tremetoussia Level 1

Project Credits

Client:
Press and Information Office of Cyprus

Director:
Stavros Pamballis

Production:
Media Studios

Animation Credits

Animation Direction:
Yiannis Philiastides

Animation Production:
one and a half

Design:
Kyriaki Mavroudes
Greg Pilava

Animation:
Greg Pilava
Artemis Pavlidou

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