A Forbidden Nation: Exiles in Their Own Land

The film highlights the history of the Crimean Tatar people—from their deportation in 1944 to their current resistance to occupation—and seeks answers about Crimea’s future and the mechanisms for its return. The film features reflections on the past, present, and future of Crimea and its indigenous people, the Krymly, by Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, the head of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov, People’s Deputy Akhtem Chiygoz, actor and director Akhtem Seitablaiev, former Russian prison captive Leniy Umerov, as well as publicist Vitaliy Portnikov and People’s Deputy Mykola Knyazhitsky. The film also discusses how to address the mass repression in Crimea, particularly against the Crimean Tatars, and what steps Ukraine can take now to support the Crimean Tatars and accelerate de-occupation.