FROM RUSSIA WITH QUEER

“I am not an outcast. However, I do not feel like being accepted. I still exist. I am a litmus test of the existing problem”.

Sounds like an impassioned speech of a social drama character. So does it. These words belong to a real person. One of those who have to flee from Russia because of their sexual orientation.

There are still regions in Russia where, in the twenty-first century, people are tortured and killed among others for belonging to LGBT community. Even in Moscow LGBT+ are subjected to numerous attacks although 45% of Russians say that they have never heard about such acts of violence.

Nearly half of Russian citizens, to be exact 47%, think that LGBT people in Russia should enjoy the same rights as all other citizens. However, only 3% have reported that they view gays as good citizens. It is hardly surprising, given the fact that even the GLBT in Russia is homophobic; the information is proved not only by statistics but also by our heros. One of them, for instance, “got through all the stages of the inner homophobia” and another one can not stand gays, who propagandize maleness due to rejection of their own femininity.

In the USA, all characters do not feel like outsiders because of belonging to LGBT+. As their experience has shown, society in America is more tolerant than that in Russia. Nonetheless, they feel “like emigrants”. The most challenging aspect for them was to transform themselves and realize that it is possible to look as one wants although, during their life in Russia, they had to follow the dress-code that did not promote LGBT.

We all are aware about the consequences of LGBT-propoganda in Russia. Therefore, a question arises:how is it possible that in the very same year of 2013 , when Australian scientists grew artificial tissues of the human brain, the Russian government passed a law that provides for the punishment of those who promote non traditional sexual lifestyles to minors. This is quite shocking, to say the least.

THE MAIN IDEA

This film is about several members of the LGBT community, who have emigrated from their native countries. They have told stories about their lives before and after immigration. This film is not about homosexuality or human decency, but about human interactions. The film portrays equality in treatment of all people.

The main characters of the project suppose that this film is not about an injury. They state, “It is a film about people who went through a trauma, but who were not broken by it”.

The goal of our production is to tell the audience about the difficulties LGBT-people face in Russia and the former USSR nations. We would like to portray the importance of human acceptance of individuals who do not fit the postulates of the dominant majority and the laws of their native country.

THE PRODUCTION

The production has started, but in order for us to finish the film we need your support. Our team includes a director, scene manager, set assistants, operators, sound manager, montage editor, and other members that have worked hard to make this reality.

Production of scenery, questions, and plot for each character profile.

Production of five interviews, in more than thirty locations.

Montage and editing of the film.

In order for this production to continue, we are looking for sponsors to finish this project. At the present, we do not have such resources. We believe sincerely, that we will be able to achieve this goal and collect the resources that are needed to finish our project.

All the means received will be used to support the team, and equipment that is needed to finish the film.