In 2006, Ron Howard’s film The Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, premiered in theaters worldwide, including Georgia. The film immediately drew protests from the Georgian Orthodox Church, which called on devout Christians to “refrain from watching” the controversial movie, citing concerns that it offended religious sentiments.

Davit Sharashenidze, an official spokesperson for the Georgian Orthodox Church, stated that The Da Vinci Code “insults the religious feelings of believers.”

On May 18, 2006, dozens of protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in front of Rustaveli Cinema in Tbilisi to demonstrate against the film. Protesters held banners with messages such as, “Watching this film is like crucifying Christ a second time” and “Both the filmmakers and the audience blaspheme against Jesus Christ.”

Several opposition politicians from the Labor Party, including Zaza Gabunia—who later became a member of the Georgian parliament in 2016—also joined the protest. Gabunia said, “We protest a film that is an absolute apology for immorality and sin.”

Despite the protests, screenings of The Da Vinci Code continued in Georgian cinemas without interruption.