RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Controversial film gets nod from bishop of where it was made

METROPOLITAN OF MURMANSK THANKS ZVIAGINTSEV FOR FILM "LEVIATHAN"

Govorit Moskva, 21 January 2015

 

Metropolitan of Murmansk and Monchergorsk Simon noted that the film is honest and the plot reveals the vital problems of the country.

 

In a response to a request from radio station Govorit Moskva to give an assessment of Andrei Zviagintsev's "Leviathan," the metropolitan of Murmansk reported that he regards this film positively.

 

"I liked it. The film is honest," he says in a statement that arrived at the editorial office of the radio station. In the opinion of the representative of RPTs, it is not necessary to ban the motion picture.

 

"The obscene language that is used in this situation, most unfortunately, has become our shameful reality and there is no more of it in the film than in life; why cover it up," the metropolitan noted.

 

At the same time, he noted the negative impact of the portrayal and animosity toward different individuals (the stars of the film), including the metropolitan.

 

"Besides shame for the obscene language, I was horribly depressed by vodka-vodka-vodka which is all over everywhere. However on the whole the film is inspiring in that it points to the vital problems of the country like a gaping wound on a body from which it is decaying, suffering, and dying. Serious treatment is necessary," the Murmansk metropolitan's statement notes.

 

"Leviathan" has still not been widely released, although a copy of the controversial film has been leaked to the Internet and the debates surrounding this picture have not abated in two weeks now.

 

Last week Andrei Zviagintsev received another international trophy. The London Film Critics named "Leviathan" the best foreign film. Before that, the film had received numerous other prestigious awards including a Golden Globe, and in February it will contend for an Oscar prize. (tr. by PDS, posted 22 January 2015)


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