'Leviathan' Makes $110,000 in Russian Premiere

Feb. 8, 2015

Producer Alexander Rodnyansky (L) and director Andrey Zvyagintsev pose backstage with their award for Best Foreign Language Film for their film "Leviathan" at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 11, 2015.

The controversial Russian film "Leviathan," which has been widely acclaimed in the West, reportedly made $110,000 at its premiere in Russian movie theaters on Thursday.

About a rural Russian man struggling against a corrupt mayor, "Leviathan" won awards at Cannes and the Golden Globes, but had not been allowed to screen in Russia because of a law forbidding profane language in public performances.

Thursday's premier had the profane words removed. The movie ranked third in revenue in Russian theaters for the day, behind Western hits "Jupiter Ascending" ($780,000) and "The Imitation Game" ($142,000), according to Russia-focused industry watcher KinoBusiness.com.

"Leviathan" has been denounced by Russia's Culture Ministry, which had provided funding for it, and the influential Russian Orthodox Church for its negative depiction of Russian life. The Church's spokesman last month accused the film of pandering to Western prejudices.

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