EXCLUSIVE: Georgian Anti-Putin drama The Antique, which had its world premiere at Venice’s Giornate degli Autori briefly suspended after Russian and Croatian producers issued an injunction claiming copyright points, is again within the courts once more.
The movie’s Georgian producer Zurab Magalashvili at Tbilisi-based Cinetech Film Production and director Rusudan Glurjidze have revealed that the manufacturing has been hit by a contemporary lawsuit, in what they name “an increasingly aggressive attempt to undermine this Anti-Putin film”.
The drama, which is Georgia’s Oscar entry this year, takes inspiration from the real-life unlawful expulsion of hundreds of Georgian nationals from Russia in 2006, which included Glurjidze.
The deportations had been a part of the so-called 2006 Georgian–Russian espionage controversy, sparked by Georgia’s arrest of plenty of Russian navy officers on prices of espionage and terrorism, when Vladimir Putin was in his first time period as Russian president.
According to a writ filed on the Court of Venice and seen by Deadline, Moscow-based firm Viva Films, Cyprus-based Pygmalion Film and Croatian firm Aventura are suing Cinetech and the Giornate degli Autori Association for compensation for “the improper use of the film” associated to its public screening within the parallel Venice sidebar.
“Cinetech and with it the ‘Giornate degli Autori’ Association are liable for damages caused by the illicit communication of the work to the public which took place on 30 August and 6 September 2024,” it reads.
The contemporary authorized motion comes two-and-a-half months after the world premiere of The Antique, scheduled for the early days of Giornate degli Autori in August, was thrown into disarray after the identical Russian and Croatian producers issued an emergency decree claiming copyright points with the screenplay.
The movie’s producer Magalashvili, director Glurjidze and Paris-based gross sales agent MPM International contested the claims, suggesting the transfer to forestall the screening was politically motivated.
At the time, Magalashvili and Glurjidze mentioned the Russian and Croatian producers had been concerned within the manufacturing within the early levels of growth however had fallen out of challenge and had no authorized declare on the movie.
MPM International mentioned they’d legally acquired the rights to the movie from Magalashvili, who had demonstrated a full chain of rights.
The authentic emergency decree blocked the movie’s premiere and press screenings in Venice, till the ultimate weekend, with the filmmakers submitting an attraction below Article 700 of the Code of Civil Procedure on behalf of Glurjidze, citing her alleged ethical proper to speak her work to the general public.
A trial associated to the unique decree was scheduled for November 6, however within the meantime, Viva and Avvantura, filed a brand new lawsuit in opposition to Cinetech and the Giornate degli Autori within the Court of Venice on October 30, with a listening to scheduled for December 4.
Magalashvili says Cinetech, which is represented by Castaldi Partners by means of Fabio Moretti and Manuela Molinari, is now embroiled in a pivotal authorized battle within the Court of Venice.
“This legal action, aimed at undermining our commitment to artistic freedom, also targets Giornate degli Autori in an attempt to suppress independent cinema,” mentioned Magalashvili.
“Cinetech remains steadfast in defending rights and exposing the political forces behind this attack… Our legal team has built a strong case. I would be genuinely surprised if the Venice tribunal did not dismiss this case and hold the plaintiffs accountable for legal expenses.”
MPM Premium co-founding head and inventive producer Marie-Pierre Macia expressed her assist for The Antique filmmakers.
“The truth is on the side of Rusudan Glurjidze and her Georgian team.”
Glurjidze says she is reeling from the unique try to dam the movie, however stays resolute in her dedication for it to be seen.
“This delay shattered my emotional stability and completely crushed my faith in justice but despite intense pressure to censor, we remain resolute in our fight for the soul of the film,” she mentioned.
“Our strongest weapon is the truth—and still enduring hope for justice! We will fight to the end, even if it leads us to Strasbourg. This could become a new Georgia vs. Russia—or perhaps even Italy,” she added.
Deadline has contacted Giornate degli Autori for a remark however has not obtained a reply.
Moscow-based Viva Film and Cyprus-registered, Limmasol-based Pygmalion Film Productions is owned by Russian producer Nadezhda Gorshkova, and Croatia’s Zagreb-based Avvantura, belongs to producer Sergej Stanojkovski.
They are represented in Italian courts by leisure lawyer Bruno Della Ragione and Sarah Mosole from the Venetian Bar Association