Russian-made movie "Leviathan" has been nominated in four categories at the European Film Awards, which takes place next month in Latvia.
The movie, directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev, is one of five films nominated for the top European Film Award, along with "Force Majeure," "Ida," "Winter in Sleep" and "Nymphomaniac."
Zvyagintsev has been nominated in both the director and screenwriter categories along with co-writer Oleg Negin. Alexei Serebryakov, who plays the lead role in "Leviathan," has been nominated for the European actor award.
"Leviathan," which tells of the story of a provincial man who endeavors to keep his property safe from a corrupt mayor, has received widespread acclaim since it was released abroad earlier this year.
But the movie was not initially able to show in Russia after falling afoul of a recently passed law banning the use of expletives in public performances. The movie was eventually given a screening permit by the Culture Ministry, though it was slapped with a +18 rating and all the expletives were bleeped out.
"Leviathan," which in May competed for the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, has also been chosen to represent Russia in the best foreign-language film category at next year's Academy Awards.
