Hundred of protesters have blocked the streets in front of a cinema in Georgia to stop people from being able to watch the film And Then We Danced.
The film from Swedish director Levin Akin tells the story of a young man in the National Georgian Ensemble who is attracted to a rival male dancer. It has drawn condemnation from conservative groups in Georgia due to its depiction of homosexuality.
The film is Sweden’s official entry to the 2020 Academy Awards for Best International Feature. It is the director’s third feature film following Certain People (2011) and The Circle (2015).
Speaking ahead of the protests the director said it was absurd that people would be intimidated for trying to see his film.
“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 told Screen Daily.
“I made this film with love and compassion. It is my love letter to Georgia and to my heritage. With this story I wanted to reclaim and redefine Georgian culture to include all not just some.
“But unfortunately these are the dark times we live in and the pending protests just proves how vital it is to stand up against these shadowy forces in any way we can.”
AFp shared footage of the protest outside of Tbilisi’s central Amirani cinema where hundreds of demonstrators blocked the street as police struggled to keep a corridor open for viewers of the sellout screening to enter.
Footage shared on social media showed some protesters holding crucifixes and religious icons — chanting “long live Georgia” and “shame.”
Demonstrators also set fire to a rainbow flag and tossed firecrackers and smoke bombs toward the cinema entrance. It has been reported that one young woman was hit on the head by a projectile and was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Local media reports that several protesters were arrested by police.
Check out the trailer for the film.
OIP Staff
