About Welcome to Chechnya (Eng Sub)

Welcome to Chechnya is a chilling 2020 documentary film that exposes the harsh environments and life-threatening conditions faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Chechnya, a republic within Russia. Directed by David France, this film shines a light on the government-sanctioned purge happening against LGBTQ+ persons in Chechnya and the brave activists working to counteract it.

Making / Production

Directed by David France, the making of Welcome to Chechnya was an immense risk. The crew had to anonymously record the footage and make use of technology such as digital face replacement to protect the identity of those involved. This engrossing documentary was produced by Askold Kurov, Alice Henty, and Joy A. Tomchin.

Actors

• David Isteev: The Crisis Response Coordinator for the nation-wide Russian LGBT Network.
• Olga Baranova: The Director of the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives.
• Maxim Lapunov: A victim who dared to publicly raise his voice about the horrors he faced in Chechnya.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The original footage was shot using hidden cameras and smartphones to avoid detection.
• The documentary use deepfake technology to conceal the identities of the vulnerable individuals involved.
• The film was released at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2020.

Awards

The distinctiveness and impact of Welcome to Chechnya didn't go unnoticed. It received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing at the Sundance Film Festival and the Teddy Activist Award at the Berlin International Film Festival among others.

Quotes

• "We don't have gay people. If we do, take them to Canada." - Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov
• "If I don't, then who would?" - Olga Baranova on helping victims of the purge.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film features a primarily ambient and suspenseful score composed by Evgueni and Sacha Galperine.