 In response, dozens of leading artists, writers, filmmakers, journalists and professional associations slammed the decision as a curbing of free speech, mounted protests, called for boycotts, and published columns and editorials protesting the governmental interference in cultural productions.The film, which was enthusiastically received by film critics, opened the 2019 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, and plucked top prizes at the Kraków Film Festival, Hong Kong and Thessaloniki festivals.