Russian Orthodox Church criticises Alexei Uchitel’s film

The authors of Matilda withstood complaints from MP Natalya Poklonskaya, who appealed to prosecutors to ban the film in Russia, but faced severe criticism from the church. The Russian Orthodox Church has called the movie vulgar and blasphemous. The statement was made by Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Hilarion (Alfeyev).

Alexei Uchitel’s film focuses on the relationship between future emperor of Russia Nicholas II and ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska. The movie is not finished yet, but representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church watched the footage. They say they’ve seen enough and think the final version is unlikely to differ much from what they’ve seen. Metropolitan Hilarion noted that Orthodox believers treat Nicholas II in a special way and said the interpretation of his story in the film was insulting. He thinks the film would provoke outrage among believers.

The church representative found the scenes about sexual relations between young Nicholas and ballerina Kschessinska particularly offensive. He called the movie the apotheosis of vulgarity.

“Let me tell you how the film begins. The ballerina runs on stage at the Mariinsky Theatre. Her bra rips open, exposing her bare breast. She continues to run with her breast exposed. The successor in the royal box stands up excitedly. The film starts with vulgarity and continues in this way,” Hilarion shared his impressions.

Matilda will premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in Moscow on October 6. The wide release is scheduled for October 26. Polish actress Michalina Olszańska plays ballerina Kschessinska, German actor Lars Eidinger plays Nicholas II. The film also stars famous Russian actors, among them Sergei Garmash and Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė.