Film distributor Arthouse has secured the right to screen Golden Globe nominated "Carol" in Russia. Despite the green light, this still remains a huge challenge, given the country's notorious federal laws that discriminate against their own LGBT community.
In an interview with The Hollywod Reporter, Yan Vizinberg, CEO and co-founder of Arthouse and its parent company Lorem Ipsum Corp. in the US, says it's "a dream for everyone at Arthouse to be releasing this film in Russia". While this is a cause for celebration, Vizinberg also acknowledges the "huge challenge" of screening this film in a country with a "gay propaganda" law that "victimizes the Russian LGBT community".
Vizinberg explains that the gay propaganda law was designed to divert public attention from more pressing and real national problems like a suffering economy, widespread corruption, and the obstruction of freedom of speech. Under the legislation, Carol will be assigned an 18+ rating, instead of "R" like in the US. It will not be allowed to screen in major TV channels all over the country, nor will it be allowed to be advertised on all federal networks. Vizinberg also expects some cinemas to refuse screening the film, pointing out that that's exactly what happened when the film "Pride" was screened in Russia early this year. According to Pink News, Arthouse has had a history of releasing LGBT-themed films in the country. "Pride", a 2014 British comedy-drama film based on a true story about an alliance between coal miners and an LGBT support group during the British miners' strike in 1984, was given a limited release and an explicit rating. Arthouse faced similar problems when Palme d'Or winner "Blue is the Warmest Color", was released back in 2013, for its portrayal of a lesbian relationship.
According to She Wired, since Russia enacted homophobic laws that ban "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" especially among minors in 2013, there have been numerous attempts to disrupt screenings of LGBT films.
Despite these setbacks and challenges, Vizinberg is still positive. He believes "the controversy around the LGBT issues will help us market Carol to the right audience", which is a more educated, intelligent, and open-minded group of filmgoers. Vizinberg also believes that the merits of the film itself, which is "about a relationship", "a most exciting love story", and "a story of forbidden love", will appeal to a wider audience, and will not just be limited to the LGBT community.
Carol is undoubtedly one of the major film events of the year. It currently has five Golden Globe nominations and expectations of potential Academy Award nominations. The film is based on Patricia Highsmith's 1952 novel, "The Price of Salt." It depicts the love story between Carol Aird, an older woman going through a difficult divorce and custody battle, and Therese Belivet, a temporary shop employee and aspiring photographer. Cate Blanchett stars as Carol, and Rooney Mara as Therese. The film is directed by Todd Haynes.
Carol will be shown in select theaters in Russia in March 2016.
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