SILENT VOICE
Reka Valerik
2020 / France, Belgium / Documentary / 51’
Synopsis
Khavaj, a young MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, fled Chechnya when his brother discovered his homosexuality and promised to kill him, under the persecution of Kadyrov’s regime. In Brussels, facing the shock of exil, he is struck by mutism. The only link that he keeps with Chechnya are the vocal messages that his mother sends him. The film traces Khavaj’s first months in Belgium. Forced to live in total anonymity to escape the Chechen diaspora, he will try to build a new identity.
Biography
The director is Chechen and lives in Europe but for security reasons we cannot disclose his identity. Therefore, we do not provide any information about his biography or filmography.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Script Reka Valerik, Anaïs Llobet
Cinematographer Arnaud Alberola
Sound Hélène Clerc-Denizot
Editing Jeanne Oberson
Mix Aline Gavroy
Cast Khavaj, Satsita, Luka, Ruben, Clémence
Production DUBLIN FILMS, NEED PRODUCTIONS, MAELSTROM STUDIOS