Welcome to Chechnya 2020

The film opens with a gripping scene where a young woman, Anya, aged 21, reaches out for assistance via her mobile phone to escape her family. She reveals to her interlocutor, David Isteev, a dedicated young man associated with the Russian LGBT Network, that her uncle has discovered her sexual orientation and has threatened to reveal it to her father if she refuses to engage in sexual relations with him.

The narrative then shifts back in time, illustrating the horrifying surge of persecution against homosexuals in Chechnya that began in 2017. The film chronicles the tragic tale of the first person detained—a gay man whose mobile phone contacts led to a catastrophic chain reaction. Under duress, authorities tortured each detainee to gather further names, resulting in the regional government uncovering hundreds of LGBTQ individuals. The film depicts the grim realities of torture, detainment, and eventual release—with families later informed that they must execute their loved ones to “cleanse the dishonor” brought upon them.

An interview with Ruslan Kadirov, the Chechen dictator under the aegis of Vladimir Putin, highlights his blatant denial of the existence of homosexuals in Chechnya. He vehemently insults the LGBTQ community and encourages their families to take drastic actions against them, emphasizing that no harm has come from his regime while promoting the idea that families would resort to violence if they had such individuals in their midst.

As David learns of a man’s escape from this harrowing environment, he quickly realizes that there are many more in need of assistance. His outreach to his community leads to international LGBT organizations stepping in to provide financial support for evacuations, which are crucial yet costly. The focus then shifts to a young man, Grisha, who is later revealed to be Maxim Lapunov. His supportive family faces dire consequences, ultimately leading them to evacuate the region.

The narrative further explores Maxim Lapunov’s courage as he openly denounces the tortures he faced, placing himself at immense risk. The activists’ daring journey to Chechnya to assist Anya is a central highlight, showcasing their commitment to rescinding lives from danger.

A recurrent theme in the film is the daunting challenge of securing visas, which becomes painfully evident as Anya hides in two different apartments for nearly a year, unable even to dispose of garbage. Eventually, her mounting anxiety prompts her to disappear. Meanwhile, Olga Baranova, another key figure in the Moscow organization, must escape to Europe with her child after being marked for identification. Throughout this turmoil, David Isteev remains steadfast, tirelessly working to save lives amid the chaos unfolding in Russia.