Venice Days, a parallel section of the Venice Film Festival , has announced the “suspension” of screenings for Georgian filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze ‘s second feature, “Antikvariati” (The Antique) .

The sidebar organizers have canceled the press and industry preview scheduled for Aug. 28, and the public screenings have been removed from the event schedule.

The move follows an emergency decree by the Court of Venice obtained by three production companies – Viva Film in Russia, Avantura Film in Croatia, and Pygmalion in Cyprus – over a copyright dispute regarding the film’s script, according to a statement issued by Venice Days.

In its statement, Venice Days – also known as Giornate degli Autori – stated: “We believe, in the true spirit of Giornate degli Autori, that our primary responsibility, shared with the Italian filmmakers’ associations that support our showcase, is the defense of copyright and, thus, the defense of filmmaker Rusudan Glurjidze, present in Venice. We also believe that the judge's decision at the Venice Court must be taken seriously, pending further developments.

“With that being said, we will dedicate all our efforts, while adhering to the law and respecting the filmmaker's freedom of expression, to support the film's existence and ensure its visibility in Venice over the coming days.”

It remains unclear what that “visibility” might mean in a practical sense.

Set approximately 18 years ago in Russia, “The Antique” delves into the forced removal of numerous Georgians from the country during that period. Sources close to the film told Variety that the Russian government might have attempted to suppress the film due to its sensitive subject matter.

According to Glurjidze, “The Antique” might have been the final film shot in Russia by foreign filmmakers, completed amidst significant hurdles.

“Initially, complications arose when the Russian Ministry of Culture demanded the removal of several scenes. The Georgian crew refused, leading to attempts to hinder the filming and, ultimately, the seizure of the film materials at the border,” she explained. “Thankfully, two copies were saved. Following this, they began to obstruct the film's release.”

Glurjidze’s debut feature film, “House of Others,” premiered in 2016 in the East of the West competition at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, claiming the Grand Prix, and was chosen as Georgia’s entry for the best foreign language film at the 89th Academy Awards.

She stated: “In my previous work, I have explored the complex political landscape of Georgia, highlighting topics often disregarded in Western Europe. ‘The House of Others’ examines the lingering impact of the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia, portraying the shattered lives of two families amidst conflict.

“‘The Antique’ unflinchingly depicts the brutal and unlawful expulsion of my fellow citizens, encapsulated through the experiences of four central characters: Medea, Vadim Vadimich, Lado, and Peter. Similar to ‘The House of Others,’ this film blends fiction with stark reality, delicately yet powerfully addressing the intricate and often painful realities of immigration while presenting a raw portrayal of Russia’s imperial cruelty.”

Salome Demiura, Sergey Dreyden, and Vladimir Vlovichenkov are among the main actors.

Zurab Magalashvili, Manana Shevardnadze, Andrey Epifanov, Tanya Petrik, Jussi Myllyniemi, Uschi Feldges, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme, and Tatiana Detlofson serve as producers.

Cinetech is the primary production company. Cinetrain, Whitepoint Digital, and Basis Berlin Filmproduction are collaborating as co-production entities. MPM Premium manages the international distribution rights for the film.