Aleksei German | 2013 | Russia & Czech Republic | 177 minutes
Presented in the original Russian audio with English subtitles. There will be a short 10-minute intermission halfway through the film.
HARD TO BE A GOD is screening at FOMO Secret Cinema as part of our "Banned Films Week" festival presenting films from across the globe that have been subject to censorship.
Aleksei German spent many years shaping this film, and every frame reflects that level of craft. The chaotic environments are dense with detail. The camera glides through mud, crowds, smoke, and noise, creating a world that feels lived-in and overwhelming. The scale and ambition are rare even within contemporary world cinema.
HARD TO BE A GOD was never officially banned, but many territories limited or avoided distribution due to its graphic violence, intensity, and unrelenting tone. Some countries applied strict age restrictions, and others declined to give theatrical slots because of the film’s extreme bleakness and unconventional structure.
HARD TO BE A GOD stands as one of the most accomplished Russian films of the century. It explores political decay, violence, and the collapse of order with complete commitment. German’s direction offers a powerful and unforgettable experience that continues to attract critical admiration.
Location: FOMO Secret Cinema, Bazari Orbeliani, Tbilisi. A five-minute walk from Liberty Square metro.
How to find FOMO: Enter the Bazari via Atoneli St, above Carrefour, and take the stairs immediately on your left behind the jewellery stand. The cinema entrance is one flight up in the stairwell.
FOMO Secret Cinema • Bazari Orbeliani, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
