Directed by Nariman Aliev, drama, 96 min, eng subtitles, 16+
Written by Marysia Nikitiuk & Nariman Aliev
With Akhtem Seitablayev, Remzi Bilyalov, Dariya Barihashvili, Anatoliy Marempolskiy, Viktor Zhdanov
A well-crafted and moving family drama by debuting Ukrainian director Nariman Aliev, Homeward is a heartbreaking tale of exile and loss, recounting the plight of the Crimean Tatars. Having lost his son in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Mustafa (Akhtem Seitablaev) resolves to bring the boy’s body to the land of his birth: Crimea. Together, he and his younger son Alim (Remzi Bilyalov) set out on a journey that will profoundly mark their relationship. Drawing on his own heritage, Aliev explores family bonds and his motherland through a deeply affecting road-movie. World premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, the film was also selected as the Ukrainian entry at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Awards:
Cannes FF 2019 (Un Certain Regard)
Odessa IFF 2019 (Grand Prix, Golden Duke)
Bucharest IFF 2019 (Best Film)
Ukraine's candidate for Oscars