The Luzhin Defence

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Entertainment in Video

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 the director of the Academy Award winning film 'Antonia's Line', set for DVD release by Entertainment In Video on 19th February 2001, simultaneous with the rental video release.

Special features on the DVD will include a featurette and trailer. The DVD comes 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' is directed by Marleen Gorris (Antonia's Line) and tells the tale of a shambling unworldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match 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 Sins and Band Of Gold) and Stuart Wilson (The Mask Of Zorro, The Rock and The Age Of Innocence). 'The Luzhin Defence' was released theatrically in the US and UK last year.

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

Natalia (Emily Watson) is a strong-willed society beauty who has already been matched by her family to the very suitable Comte de Stassard. When she encounters Luzhin, she is drawn to the erratic genius and offers him a glimpse of a world outside of his chess obsession. But it is a world he is not equipped to deal with and his two worlds collide to tragic effect.

'The Luzhin Defence' (catalogue no EDV 9090) has a film running time of 104 minutes, 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.