Homeward (2019)
A quietly devastating Ukrainian drama about a Crimean Tatar father and son carrying grief across a fractured land.
Homeward - Movie Information
- Original Title: Evge
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Nariman Aliev
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: Ukrainian
- Spoken Languages: Russian, Tatar, Ukrainian
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 7, 2019 (UA), August 26, 2020 (France)
- Alternative Titles: 归途望乡 (CN), Evge (UA), Do domu (PL), Evge (FR)
- Production Companies: Limelite, Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, Ukrainian State Film Agency, ForeFilms
- Production Countries: Ukraine
Homeward - Plot
Having lost his oldest son in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Mustafa resolves to bring the boy's body to the land of his birth: Crimea. Together, he and his younger son set out on a journey that will profoundly mark their relationship.
Homeward - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the emotional road at the heart of this film:
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Homeward - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nariman Aliev
Main Cast
- Akhtem Seitablaiev
- Remzi Bilyalov
- Daria Barikhashvili
- Anatolii Marempolskyi
- Viktor Zhdanov
- Veronika Lukyanenko
- Akmal Huriezov
- Larysa Yatsenko
- Ihor Koltovskyi
- Oleh Moskalenko
Writers
- Marysia Nikitiuk
- Nariman Aliev
Producers
- Volodymyr Yatsenko
Homeward - FAQs
What is Homeward about?
Homeward follows Mustafa, a Crimean Tatar father who loses his eldest son in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Determined to bury the boy in his ancestral homeland of Crimea, he and his younger son Alim embark on a grueling road journey that forces them to confront grief, identity, and their fractured relationship.
Is Homeward based on a true story?
Homeward is not based on a single documented true story, but it is deeply rooted in real events. The film draws on the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the plight of Crimean Tatars — an indigenous people historically displaced and marginalized — giving the narrative a strong basis in lived political and cultural reality.
Where can you stream or watch Homeward?
Streaming availability for Homeward varies by region. You can check current platforms, rental options, and purchase links for your country on JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options across major streaming services and digital storefronts.
Who are the lead actors in Homeward?
The film stars Akhtem Seitablaiev as Mustafa, the grieving father, and Remzi Bilyalov as Alim, his younger son. Seitablaiev is a prominent Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar actor and theatre director, bringing considerable dramatic weight to the central role.
Who directed Homeward and who wrote it?
Homeward was directed by Nariman Aliev, a Ukrainian filmmaker of Crimean Tatar descent, making his feature debut. The screenplay was co-written by Aliev and Marysia Nikitiuk, crafting a story that blends personal grief with the broader political trauma of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Did Homeward receive critical recognition or awards?
Yes. Homeward premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2019 in the Un Certain Regard section, earning significant international attention. It was selected as Ukraine's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and received praise for its restrained direction and powerful performances.
What language is Homeward filmed in?
Homeward is filmed primarily in Ukrainian, Russian, and Crimean Tatar. This multilingual approach reflects the complex cultural and ethnic identity of its characters and the contested geopolitical landscape of Crimea and eastern Ukraine that forms the film's backdrop.
How long is the film Homeward?
Homeward has a runtime of 96 minutes, or 1 hour and 36 minutes. The film maintains a measured, road-movie pace across its running time, using the physical journey between Ukraine and Crimea as a vessel for emotional and generational conflict between father and son.
More About Homeward
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