When Levan Akin’s movie “And Then We Danced,” a romance between men in a Georgian folk-dance troupe, premiered at Cannes in 2019, it became a festival hit and later an Oscars submission. However, the movie faced backlash when it was screened in Georgia later that year due to its portrayal of traditional Georgian culture intertwined with a gay love story, leading to violent protests by conservative groups.
Akin’s latest film, “Crossing,” which is set to open in U.S. theaters Friday, also explores L.G.B.T. themes. Despite hoping for a smoother reception in Georgia, Akin decided against releasing the movie in the country due to the current polarized climate sparked by weeks of protests in Tbilisi against a controversial law on foreign influence.
In “Crossing,” the story follows Lia (Mzia Arabuli), a retired history teacher, who embarks on a journey from Batumi, Georgia to Istanbul in search of her estranged trans niece, Tekla. Tekla had fled after facing rejection from her family. Lia teams up with Evrim (Deniz Dumanli), a trans rights activist and lawyer, to navigate the crowded streets of Istanbul and unravel the mystery surrounding Tekla’s disappearance. Despite forming a strong bond, the search for Tekla proves to be a challenging endeavor.
| Cast: | Character |
|---|---|
| Lucas Kankava | Achi |
| Mzia Arabuli | Lia |
