A scandalous movie “Matilda” by Russian filmmaker Alexey Uchitel will be showcased in Dushanbe tomorrow.
“Matilda” is a Russian historical drama film. It tells the story of the romantic relationship between the heir to the Russian throne, Nikolai Romanov, and the ballerina of the Imperial Theater, Matilda Kshesinskaya, from the time the 22-year-old crown prince and 18-year-old dancer in 1890 and until the coronation of Nikolai and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna in 1896.
The film has caused a wide public response not only in Russia but also in many other countries, where Orthodox Christians live.
In 2016 when the official trailer of the film which contained in particular erotic love scenes was released, representatives of the public movement “King's Cross” found in the film a “distortion of historical events,” and an “anti-Russian and anti-religious provocation in the field of culture.” One cinema chain pulled out of showing the film after a group of self-described Orthodox militants threatened the film’s director and cinemas preparing to screen it.
After a request to the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation State from the Duma deputy Natalia Poklonskaya known for her veneration of Nicholas II, the film's material was audited and no violations were found. Chairman of the Duma Committee on Culture, film director Stanislav Govorukhin criticized the idea of checking the film, he expressed confidence that such scandalous initiatives should be “nipped right in the bud.” In the Kremlin, Poklonskaya's request caused confusion and an uncertain delayed response. The Ministry of Culture of Russia said that the question of issuing certificates for rental of the film will be decided upon the completion of work on the picture.
Somewhat later in December 2016 it was reported that the prosecutor's office will request the movie's script for inspection at the request of MP Poklonskaya.
In September 2017 Cinema Park and Formula Kino group, the Russia's biggest cinema chain, cancelled screenings of the film due to “extreme actions by opponents of the film” and threats made against cinemas. They later reversed the decision. Two cars were reportedly torched outside the Moscow office of a lawyer acting for Alexey Uchitel, the director of the film.
The point is that the last Russian Emperor Nickolas II and his immediate family were recognized as martyred saints by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in 1981. On August 14, 2000, they were recognized by the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. This time they were not named as martyrs, since their deaths did not result immediately from their Christian faith; instead, they were canonized as passion bearers.
Asia-Plus has decided to apply for comments to Bishop Pitirim of Dushanbe and Tajikistan.
“It is lie and slander against the Tsar’s family. To produce such a movie about Nickolas II, moreover in the year of the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution is blasphemy,” Bishop Pitirim said.
“Divine retribution may hit cities where this movie will be showcased,” Bishop Pitirm noted.
According to him, the Church cannot ban this movie. “However, I advise Christians of Tajikistan not to watch this movie,” Bishop Pitirim added.
