The
movie The Luzhin Defence (note British spelling in official title) was directed by Dutch director
Marleen Gorris[?]. The screenplay was written by
Peter Berry[?] and based on the novel
The Defense by
Vladimir Nabokov. Nabokov in turn drew upon the events in the life of his friend Curt von Bardeleben who committed suicide in 1924. The movie stars
John Turturro[?] as the tormented Luzhin;
Emily Watson[?] plays the love interest, Natalia. Watson received best actress nominations at the British Independent Film Awards and the London Film Critics Circle Awards.
For the chess opening associated with the movie see Latvian Gambit.