Venice Days halts screenings of ’The Antique’ amid copyright dispute
A sudden halt in Venice
In an unexpected turn of events, Venice Days, an independent sidebar of the Venice Film Festival, has suspended the screenings of Georgian filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze’s second feature film, The Antique. The press and industry screening scheduled for August 28 has been canceled, and public screenings have been removed from the schedule.
The legal battle
The suspension follows an emergency decree by the Court of Venice, obtained by three production companies—Viva Film in Russia, Avantura Film in Croatia, and Pygmalion in Cyprus—over a copyright dispute regarding the film’s script. Venice Days, also known as Giornate degli Autori, issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to defending copyright and supporting the filmmaker.
“We believe, in the very spirit of Giornate degli Autori, that our chief duty, shared with the Italian filmmakers’ associations that promote our showcase, is the defense of copyright, hence the defense of the filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze, present in Venice. We also feel that the decision of the judge at the Court of Venice must be taken into serious consideration, pending further developments.”
The film’s controversial subject
Set around 18 years ago in Russia, The Antique delves into the deportation of thousands of Georgians from the country. Sources close to the film suggest that the Russian government may have wanted to sideline the film due to its sensitive subject matter. According to Glurjidze, The Antique might be the last film shot in Russia by foreign filmmakers, completed under challenging circumstances.
“Initially, problems started when the Russian Ministry of Culture demanded the removal of multiple scenes. The Georgian team refused, leading to attempts to obstruct the shoot and, ultimately, the confiscation of the film material at the border,” Glurjidze explained. “Fortunately, two copies were saved. After this, they started to block the film.”
A filmmaker’s journey
Glurjidze’s directorial debut, House of Others, premiered in 2016 at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, winning the Grand Prix and becoming Georgia’s candidate for the 89th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Reflecting on her work, Glurjidze shared:
“In my previous work, I’ve ventured into the complex political landscape of Georgia, shedding light on themes that often remain obscured in Western Europe. The House of Others delves into the haunting aftermath of the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia, exploring the fractured lives of two families against a backdrop of conflict.”
The Antique continues this exploration, portraying the brutal and unlawful deportation of Georgians through the lives of four central figures: Medea, Vadim Vadimich, Lado, and Peter. The film intertwines fiction with stark reality, addressing the intricate and often painful realities of immigration while presenting a raw depiction of Russia’s imperial cruelty.
The cast and crew
The film features a talented cast, including Salome Demiura, Sergey Dreyden, and Vladimir Vlovichenkov. The production team comprises Zurab Magalashvili, Manana Shevardnadze, Andrey Epifanov, Tanya Petrik, Jussi Myllyniemi, Uschi Feldges, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme, and Tatiana Detlofson. Cinetech is the lead production company, with co-production companies Cinetrain, Whitepoint Digital, and Basis Berlin Filmproduction. MPM Premium holds the international sales rights to the film.
The future of ‘The Antique’
While the future of The Antique at Venice Days remains uncertain, the festival’s organizers have expressed their commitment to supporting the film and its visibility in Venice. What this “visibility” might entail in practical terms is yet to be seen.
For those interested in exploring more about the film, you can watch the trailer for The Antique and delve into its compelling narrative.
Personal reflections
As a cinema enthusiast, the suspension of The Antique screenings at Venice Days is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between art and politics. Glurjidze’s work, much like her previous film House of Others, offers a raw and unfiltered look into the socio-political landscapes that shape our world. The courage to tell these stories, despite the obstacles, is a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for truth and reflection.
For those who appreciate films that challenge the status quo and offer a deeper understanding of historical and political contexts, The Antique promises to be a significant work. The ongoing legal battle only underscores the importance of protecting artistic expression and the stories that need to be told.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cinema, films like The Antique remind us of the enduring power of storytelling and the resilience of filmmakers who dare to shed light on the often overlooked corners of history.