Utrish: Lost Paradise

Utrish is a documentary set on the Black Sea coast near Anapa, exploring a once-free, almost mythical place where scientists, travelers, hermits, hippies, campers, and eco-activists coexisted in harmony with nature under the ancient juniper trees. In the summer of 2020, a devastating fire destroyed 126 hectares of the relic forest, leading authorities to close the area to the public. The film investigates what really happened — was it an accident or a deliberate act? And who might have benefited from such a tragedy? Through personal stories, archival footage, and environmental insight, Utrish reflects on the fragile relationship between people and the natural world — and what is lost when that bond is broken.

Produced and developed by Tatiana Kireicheva and Maria Charnaya

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