MOSCOW (AP) – Top Russian officials have sought to downplay the “hysteria” surrounding a new film depicting the love affair between Russia’s last czar and a ballerina, amid arson attacks and threats against cinemas.
Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that “Matilda” was just “an ordinary feature film.”
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Wednesday that pressure on cinemas was “unacceptable” and he condemned the “unpleasant form” debate about the film had taken.
The movie – which is yet to be released – has sparked harsh criticism from hard-line nationalists and some Orthodox believers in Russia. Although most people accept that the affair happened, they maintain its depiction in the movie has been distorted and that the portrayal is vulgar.
Nicholas II was murdered by the Bolsheviks and canonized by the Orthodox Church in 2000.