THE LUZHIN DEFENCE

Set in the late 1920s, THE LUZHIN DEFENCE tells the story of a shambling, Un-worldly chess Grand Master who arrives in the Italian Lakes to play the match of his life and unexpectedly finds the love of his life. Discovering his prodigious talent in boyhood overshadowed by his parents' failing marriage, Luzhin's lyrical passion for chess has become his refuge and rendered the real world a phantom. Already matched up by her family to the very suitable Comte de Stassard, when Natalia meets Luzhin she is drawn to the erratic genius and offers him a glimpse 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.

Adapted from the novel by Vladimir Nabokov (LOLITA)
THE LUZHIN DEFENCE
stars John Turturro, Emily Watson ,Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson and Christopher Thompson. Directed by Marleen Gorris, (Oscar winner for ANTONIA'S LINE; MRS. DALLOWAY)

THE LUZHIN DEFENCE will open an exclusive St. Louis engagement On Friday, 5/18/01
At Landmark's Plaza Frontenac Cinema