The Russian company acquired the controversial film 'Deaf Lovers' for international distribution.

The sales company Antipode has acquired the rights for the global distribution of the film by Russian director Boris Guц 'Deaf Lovers', which caused a scandal after being shown at the film festival in Tallinn. This was reported by Variety.

The company Antipode Sales International acquired the film by Boris Guц, which tells the story of a love affair between a Ukrainian refugee and a Russian in Istanbul. Initially, the film was included in the Ukrainian program Standing with Ukraine at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), but then it was removed from there, although not completely excluded from the program.

They closely monitored the work of independent director Boris Guц.

In a comment to Variety, Guц stated that he 'wanted to create a film that shows how war destroys our humanity and, most importantly, it kills love'. He also pointed out that he holds an 'anti-war position'.

The sales department of Antipode Sales International emphasized that they had 'closely monitored the work of independent director Boris Guц' for a long Time.

Company representatives also stated that after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it became clear that 'Ukraine is the victim, and Russia is the aggressor', but 'life goes on, its relentless flow gives birth to countless nuances and meanings - meanings that cinema seeks to capture'.

Antipode Sales International's website states that the CEO of the company is Russian Elena Podolskaya, and the main team members are also Russians: Yekaterina TitARENKo, Liza Novikova, Dasha Grozovska, Dmitry Bolievsky.

The company's Facebook page lists a building in Moscow as its address.

The State Film Agency requests a review of the decision to include the film in the festival's program

The State Agency of Ukraine for Film requests a review of the decision to include the film 'Deaf Lovers' by Russian director Boris Guц in the Standing with Ukraine program of the festival in Tallinn.

The State Film Agency addressed the PÖFF management, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to present Ukrainian films at the festival, but shared concerns about the inclusion of a film about the love between a Russian and a Ukrainian.

After an appeal from Ukrainian filmmakers, the festival removed 'Deaf Lovers' from the special selection, but the film remained in the main competition program.