Coca, the Dove from Chechnya

Europe in Denial of a War. 2005

Her parents called Zainap Gashaeva “Coca” – the dove. Born in exile in Kasakhstan, she became a business woman and reared four children. Zainap has been documenting what have become daily events since 1994: abduction, torture, murders.

What has been declared an “anti-terrorist operation” by President Putin has taken on features of genocide. Up to thirty percent of the Chechen population may have been killed. The world is looking away; be it out of ignorance, helplessness or opportunism.

Together with other women, Zainap has been hiding hundreds of videotapes. She is now bringing these tapes to Western Europe to serve as evidence so that the guilty - on whichever side – are punished. Is she tilting at windmills?

This documentary makes for gripping viewing.
Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 02/21/05
A shattering film!
Kira Taszman, Screen international, 02/19/05

What was striking was that in the whole film there were no men. They are either dead, asleep or tending to beehives. The women are doing the fighting by their own means.
Thumsucker, The script factory, 02/22/05