Evacuatciya or Evacuation is a film from Kazakhstan. The press conference for the film was graced by the actress Natalia Witmer.

The film is set against the backdrop of World War II. Natalia and her daughter Galya are in search of safety. Like the other evacuees, they are moving eastward. However, she loses her daughter at one of the railway stations. She sets out to find her daughter. She faces the horrors of the war and tries to hold on to her faith in love.

The film is directed, produced, and edited by Farkhat Sharipov. His earlier films were Secret of a Leader in 2019, 18 Kilohertz in 2020, and Scheme in 2022.

Natalia mentioned that the film throws light on the topic of displacement.

“I was born in Russia but raised in Germany. I went to my grandparents’ home in Russia and then came to know about this role from a casting director. I initially thought it was a fake message. Then, when the message came again, I understood it was real. I sent a video. But the director said it was not heartfelt. So my mother, grandmother all helped me to shoot a great video. That is how I got the role in the film,” said the actress.

The cast of the film consists of Natalia Witmer (Natasha), Yevdokiya Skirta (Gally), and others in pivotal roles.

Evacuatciya or Evacuation was screened at the International Competition: Innovation In Moving Images at the 31^st Kolkata International Film Festival.

Priyanka Dutta