The Luzhin Defence

Posted: February 18th, 2001.

FROM THE ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ‘ANTONIA’S LINE’

“Glowing, touches the heart and soul” **** Hotdog
“Gripping, moving.” **** Empire
“Excellent” The Guardian

John Turturro stars in ‘The Luzhin Defence’, a dramatic story from thedirector of the Academy Award winning film ‘Antonia’s Line’, set for DVDrelease by Entertainment In Video on 19th February 2001, simultaneous withthe rental video release.

Special features on the DVD will include a featurette and trailer. The DVDcomes with Dolby surround sound 5.1 and has an anamorphic ratio of 16.9.

Based on a 1920’s set story by Vladimir Nabokov, ‘The Luzhin Defence’ isdirected by Marleen Gorris (Antonia’s Line) and tells the tale of a shamblingunworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play thematch of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life.

Starring alongside John Turturro (O Brother Where Art Thou?, The Big Lebowski,Barton Fink, Quiz Show) are Emily Watson (Breaking Waves, Angela’s Ashes,Hilary & Jackie), Geraldine James (Ghandi, Moll Flanders, and TV’s The Sinsand Band Of Gold) and Stuart Wilson (The Mask Of Zorro, The Rock and The AgeOf Innocence). ‘The Luzhin Defence’ was released theatrically in the US andUK last year.

Luzhin (John Turturro) is a tortured genius. Exploited by his teacher he hasbecome an introverted eccentric, prone to outbursts of indecipherable nonsensein between furious strategising. His passion for chess has become his refugefrom the real world.

Natalia (Emily Watson) is a strong-willed society beauty who has already beenmatched by her family to the very suitable Comte de Stassard. When sheencounters Luzhin, she is drawn to the erratic genius and offers him a glimpseof a world outside of his chess obsession. But it is a world he is notequipped to deal with and his two worlds collide to tragic effect.

‘The Luzhin Defence’ (catalogue no EDV 9090) has a film running time of 104minutes, a ’12’ certificate and will be out on DVD priced £19.99,courtesy of Entertainment in Video, on 19th February 2001.

News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2001.