Children 404

After President Vladimir Putin passed a bill forbidding the "promotion of nontraditional sexual relations to minors", the LGBT community in Russia suffered an even deeper sense of alienation. LGBT youth living in fear, unable to reveal their identity without insults and intimidation, found security in an online project known as "Children 404". Named after the "error 404 - page not found" web message, the website became a place for them to share their stories of mistreatment and discrimination. Through anonymous interviews and video diaries, this film sees inside the daily lives of 45 young Russian people facing harassment at every turn. Pavel Loparev and Askold Kurov also follow key figures in the movement including the support group's founder, Elena, struggling against legal threats, and activist Pasha, planning to escape to Canada. "Children 404" is a shocking insight into a generation dealing with the repercussions of Russia's institutionalised homophobia.

Russia 2014