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Deep Dive: Simeiz (2022)

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Simeiz
Simeiz focuses on the history of a small village on the southern coast of Crimea, known for its underground gay resort during the Soviet era. The film traces the evolution of Simeiz from a nudist beach to the popular bar and nightclub, Hedgehogs, which attracted LGBTQ+ individuals from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Before the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, the village welcomed around 4,000 visitors annually, serving as an important gathering place for the community. The documentary captures the essence of Simeiz through various artistic expressions, starting with an exhibition and evolving into an installation. It culminates in a two-channel video and short film, preserving the memories of a place that faces threats due to rising homophobic laws in the Russian Federation. The film aims to document the cultural significance of Simeiz and the impact of political changes on its LGBTQ+ community.

Why Watch

  • •Find out about the Hedgehogs nightclub in Crimea.
  • •See how Simeiz became an LGBTQ+ haven.
  • •Meet the vibrant community before 2014.

Did You Know

•Simeiz welcomed around 4,000 visitors annually before 2014.
•Hedgehogs was a popular bar and nightclub in Simeiz.
•Simeiz started as a nudist beach during the Soviet era.
•The documentary has a duration of 18 minutes.

Perfect For

LGBTQ+ historySoviet-era cultureCrimean tourism