In the mid-1980s, in communist Bulgaria, a forced campaign took place, where Turkish names were replaced with Bulgarian ones for around one million ethnic Turks. Those who opposed were forced to leave the country, their homes, and lands, and to move to Türkiye. In just a few months, more than 350,000 people were displaced. Entire villages and regions were left depopulated. The film tells the stories of three women and their divided families, each tragedy deeply personal.
THE UNWANTED
Bulgaria
| 1999
| 55 min.
| Documentary
Producer & Director: Adela Peeva
Co-production Bulgaria / Germany / Türkiye
Produced in collaboration with the Bulgarian National Television
Supported by the Bulgarian National Film Center
Participated in over 20 international film festivals across Europe, Asia, and America
Award for Best Documentary Film at the Minnesota Film Festival, USA – 2000
Special Certificate for Moral Courage from the ‘Jan Karski’ Film Competition, USA – 2000
Second Prize at the International Film Festival ‘At Home’, Krakow, Poland – 2001
Special Jury Prize at the National Festival ‘Golden Rhyton’ – 1999
