Vasadze's Supporters "Will Not Allow" Screening of 'And Then We Danced'

Konstantine Morgoshia, one of the supporters of Georgian businessman Levan Vasadze, has announced that their main goal is not to allow the screening of the first Georgian film about gay love, titled ‘And Then We Danced,’ in Tbilisi and Batumi cinemas today.

For this purpose, Vasadze's supporters intend to gather at 16:00 in the Vera Garden in Tbilisi and at 17:00 in Batumi to arrange the demonstrations.

Morgoshia also added that their supporters from western Georgia will join the rally in Batumi.

“Our goal is not to allow the screening of this movie. If they wanted to make a film depicting love, then why couldn't it be about the relationship of a man and a woman?" he said.

As for the form of protest, he noted that "it depends on the situation."

On November 8-10, the first Georgian film depicting love between two homosexuals will be shown in Tbilisi and Batumi cinemas. 

All tickets have already sold out. There are several thousand spectators expected to show up in Tbilisi and Batumi. 

However, along with Vasadze’s supporters, other local right-wing and religious groups are mobilizing against the premiere, threatening to disrupt the screening of the movie.

Sandro Bregadze, leader of ultra-conservative movement Georgian March, has also announced that he, along with his supporters, will hold a demonstration against the premiere, starting at 16:00 today, as they believe that the movie undermines Georgian traditions and values.

He said that Georgian March members and supporters will gather outside the Tbilisi Concert Hall to peacefully protest the premiere of the movie, scheduled at the Amirani Cinema, adding that the activists intend to create a ‘human chain’ at the entrance of the Cinema, make a 'corridor of shame' and prevent spectators from attending the screening of the film.

The Swedish-Georgian film 'And Then We Danced,' directed by Levan Akin, was screened in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and received very positive feedback.

It has already claimed prestigious awards at various international film festivals. 

The plot tells of Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) who has been training at the National Georgian Ensemble with his partner Mary (Ana Javakishvili). However, when Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) arrives, he becomes both his rival and strongest desire.

By Ana Dumbadze

Related Story: 'Georgian March' Announces Rally against Screening of 'And Then We Danced'