WELCOME TO CHECHNYA
US, 2020, 107 minutes, Colour.
Directed by David France.
This is a documentary distributed by HBO. It is a topical documentary, especially for the latter years of the 2010s.
Chechnya is not on the beaten track for most travellers. It is situated in South Russia, is a Muslim community rather than Christian. It was involved in revolt against Russia and involved in some terrorism.
This is a film about a different kind of terrorism. In the mid-2000s, the president of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, ho gives an impression of cheerful buffoonery in his public appearances, but is a solid friend of Vladimir Putin, supported by him, started a campaign against homosexuals. The film highlights that this is in the tradition of Stalin and the Third Reich and their persecution of gay men and women.
Homosexuals were sought out, their families urged to denounce them or, even worse, to exercise of violence or kill them. Many were rounded up and subjected to dire torture.
The film was introduced by David Isteev who is in charge of an organisation that helps gay people who approach them, find alternate accommodation which is secret, arrange for them to leave the country and settle elsewhere, many in Canada. He recurs throughout the film, commenting, in action with various men and women, also a social advocate with human rights groups in Moscow. He is aided by Olga Baranova, a sympathetic collaborator who is highly involved in all the activities.
The film naturally focuses on a few people to make the points about the range of men and women who suffer. The central character is aged 30, is supported by his family, has a partner who is giving up prospects for further studies and degrees by coming to live in the commune and, if possible, the pair will migrate. On the other hand, and Olga are contacted by young lesbian 21-year-old who fears for her life with her family, is threatened sexually by her uncle, comes to stay in the commune, is helped but takes the opportunity eventually to disappear.
Inserted into the film are some graphic interludes, scenes of actual torture. Inserted also are meetings between the president and Vladimir Putin, their exercising a common policy.
Finally, the central young man decides to take his issues to court, first of all appearing and giving testimony so that he can file a complaint against the authorities. This of course has some pressure on his family members as well as his partner. Ultimately, his request to file a complaint is briefly and brusquely rejected.
This is a film about human dignity, civil rights, no matter the issues of sexual orientation.
