Despite attempted sabotage ‘And Then We Danced’ successfully screens in Georgia
By Levan Abramishvili
Monday, November 11
Ultra-nationalistic, far-right, homophobic groups in Tbilisi and Batumi protested the screening of Swedish-Georgian queer film ‘And Then We Danced’ on November 8. In Tbilisi, hundreds of right-wing protesters clashed with the police, which resulted in the arrest of 27 demonstrators (24 in Tbilisi and 3 in Batumi).
The screening was announced to take place in five different cinemas across Tbilisi and one in Batumi. The target of homophobic groups was the Amirani cinema in Tbilisi, where hundreds of protesters gathered to prevent people from entering the building to see the film. Leaders of the groups planned to prevent the movie from being shown.
Levan Vasadze, dressed in formal attire gathered his supporters in Vera Park, adjacent to the Amirani cinema, hours before the premiere.
Notorious businessmen with strong ties to Russia, Vasadze addressed his supporters and called on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as well as the Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia to cancel the movie sessions. Vasadze even asked the police not to interfere with the people who wanted to prevent the screenings.
“I would like to address the informal leader of our country, Bidzina Ivanishvili - we are a little tired of your political games and we can never tell which side you are on. We are conscious, traditional, national citizens. I would like to address Bidzina and tell him that if you are really afraid or can not cancel this film, then come and stand with us in the Vera Park, Georgian people are waiting for you. Take both Irakli Gharibashvili and the Prime Minister with you. Show us that you do not serve the anti-traditional process that is destroying us,” said Vasadze.
After burning a homemade rainbow flag, which represents the LGBTQ+ community, the protesters moved to the front of the cinema and tried to forcefully enter the building, screaming ‘Shame!’ and firing pyrotechnics, an hour before the screening.
“It is our duty to eradicate this atrocity peacefully and finally put in their place the sodomites and Satanists who are continuously terrorizing the Georgian nation. We will not allow people who offend our nation, Christianity, faith, and morality to walk freely in this country,” said Sandro Bregadze, one of the leaders of the ultra-nationalistic Georgian March group.
Riot police were also deployed in front of Amirani. Despite a large number of officers protecting the building, the members of Georgian March and Vasadze’s supporters were actively attempting to enter the cinema, throwing bottles and other objects at the law enforcers and journalists.
“The police are attacking, insulting us and humiliating Georgia throughout the Caucasus. This is the hardest day of my life,” said Vasadze.
One of the leaders of the Republican party, Levan Berdzenishvili, was making a comment to the reporters in front of the cinema when one of the demonstrators physically assaulted him.
“I express my solidarity with the people who want to see the film. …People have the right to watch a film that was well-received in many countries. These people [protestors], who had their Communist mandates during the Soviet times only now became believers …These are people who carry out the Russian order,” said Berdzenishvili.
Ticketholders were also unable to enter the cinema because of the demonstrators. The police formed a cordon to allow people to enter the building.
Despite police attempts to shield the moviegoers, civic activist Ana Subeliani was injured while trying to enter the cinema. She was hit by a ‘blunt object’ in the head and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where her wound had to be closed with seven stitches.
According to the Interior Ministry, the perpetrator was arrested on the scene and on November 10, he was charged under Article 118(1) of the Criminal Code, for ‘intentional non-life-threatening bodily harm.’
The film of Swedish director with Georgian heritage Levan Akin has enjoyed international acclaim, receiving numerous prestigious awards. Amid controversy in Georgia, the leading actor Levan Gelbakhiani received an award at the Minsk International Film Festival on November 8.
Vasadze accumulated his wealth mostly in the Russian Federation and has close ties with one of the leading ideologues of Russian anti-Westernism and illiberalism and the leader of the so-called “Eurasianist” movement Alexander Dugin. Vasadze was also active in June, ahead of planned Tbilisi Pride week, saying he wouldn’t allow the Pride to take place and threatening queer activists and police. The Ministry of Internal Affairs launched an investigation into Vasadze’s threats but so far hasn’t filed any charges.
