The Moscow premiere of Matilda, which chronicles an affair between the future Nicholas II and the ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, took place amid heightened security on Tuesday evening.
Seven Russian Orthodox religious activists were detained by police outside the cinema for attempting to mount a protest against the film.
Uchitel’s film has many powerful backers, as evidenced by the many members of the artistic and political elite in attendance at the premiere.
The controversy around the film has highlighted the delicate line the Russian authorities walk in the arts sphere.