Orthodox Activists Seek to Block Film Release
Lesson Brief
Moskovskiy Komsomolets
The Russian film Leviathan received a nomination today for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards. However, not everyone in Russia is happy about the film's success.The film, which tells the story of one man's battle against corruption and bureaucracy in a small coastal village in Russia, has received numerous accolades abroad and is viewed as a favorite going into the Oscars. Activists from the Russian Orthodox Church are demanding that Russia's Ministry of Culture not allow the film to be released in Russian theaters, claiming that the film is simply a ploy to promote anti-Russian feelings abroad. The film's director, on the other hand, claims that the film's themes are universal and can apply to the situation in any country.