Film on gay love premieres in Georgia amid radical groups' protest
The police which promised to ensure safety and freedom of expression amid threats voiced by ultra-nationalist groups earlier today, have detained eleven protesters for violation of public order and police disobedience. Photo: 1TV
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A Swedish-Georgian-French co-production And Then We Danced has premiered in Georgian cinemas today amid radical groups' protest.
Protesters led by the Head of the Children Protection Public Movement Levan Palavandishvili, businessman Levan Vasadze and the ultra-nationalist Georgian March gathered in front of Amirani Cinema in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, hindering people to enter and watch the film.
The police which promised to ensure safety and freedom of expression amid threats voiced by ultra-nationalist groups earlier today, have detained eleven protesters for violation of public order and police disobedience.
The Interior Ministry reported that pyrotechnics was also used in front of the cinema ahead of the premiere.
The Interior Ministry again calls on everyone to obey the law. Otherwise, police will act within their mandate and each violation of public order will be followed by a strict responce", the ministry stated.
It also informed that all the screenengs were started without delay at all the cinemas. However, police remain on the ground to ensure public safety.
Investigation is underway over the attack on Ana Subeliani, who was unable to enter the cinema and instead received injuries. Photo: 1TV
Meanwhile, yesterday, the United States Embassy warned US citizens "to avoid any and all large gatherings as the potential for unanticipated violence exists".
The film directed by Levan Akin, which has been picked as Sweden's submission for the Best International Feature Film competition at the next Academy Awards, has premiered at Tbilisi and Batumi cinemas today.
Akin wrote on his Instagram page that "it is absurd that people who bought tickets need to be brave and risk getting harassed or even assaulted just for going to see a film".
Akin's work is the story of a young performer Merab in the Georgian national dance company who develops an intense attraction to newcomer Irakli.
Portrayed by Levan Gelbakhiani, Merab is "thrown into an emotional storm of both strong desire and jealousy for his new companion" (Carl International Film Festival), with the encounter between the two male performers unfolding in the conservative dance company.
The film will be shown in Georgian cinemas between November 8 and 10. All tickets have already sold out.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has promised to ensure safety and freedom of expression amid threats voiced by ultra-nationalist groups just before the premiere of And Then We Danced movie in Tbilisi and Batumi cinemas starting later today.
The festival-touring feature And Then We Danced by director Levan Akin received accolade at the Chicago International Film Festival, with the film about an emotional encounter of two male dancers joining winners of the 55th edition over the weekend.
Georgian actor Levan Gelbakhiani has claimed latest round of plaudits for his performance in filmmaker Levan Akin's feature And Then We Danced after collecting the Best Actor Award at Spain's Valladolid International Film Festival last weekend, with the film itself also honoured at the event.
Filmmaker Levan Akin's feature And Then We Danced has been nominated for the European University Film Award, a prize by university students throughout Europe.
The Georgian Interior Ministry announced late last night that 27 individuals were detained for “non-compliance with a lawful order or demand” of the police and “disorderly conduct” during the premiere of a Swedish-Georgian-French co-production And Then We Danced in Georgian cinemas.
The main protagonist of Swedish-Georgian-French co-production And Then We Danced Levan Gelbakhiani won in the best actors’ nomination at the Minsk International Film Festival yesterday.
ILGA-Europe, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, says in its most recent report that Georgia takes 30th place (with 30,2 per cent) among 49 countries in terms of protecting the LGBT population.