Kevin Spacey has made a notable return to the director’s chair with the unveiling of “Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force,” a sci-fi film that premiered at the Venice Film Festival. This ambitious project, which marks Spacey’s first directorial effort since 2004, is based on a script written by Vladimir “Lado” Okhotnikov, a Russian entrepreneur and co-founder of the cryptocurrency platform Forsage.
Okhotnikov’s involvement in the film comes at a controversial time, as he faces serious allegations from U.S. authorities related to a purported $300 million Ponzi scheme linked to Forsage. In 2022, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Okhotnikov and his colleagues, accused of defrauding investors. This was followed up by federal charges in 2023 from the Department of Justice, which characterized the activity as the first criminal fraud case in U.S. history involving a decentralized finance Ponzi scheme. The DOJ claims that Forsage misled investors by presenting itself as a promising decentralized project, while it actually relied on smart contracts that redistributed funds from newer investors to earlier ones. As a result, over 80% of participants reportedly lost their money.
Despite these serious allegations, Okhotnikov has consistently denied any fraudulent intent, suggesting in a YouTube video that real scams could not possibly “win people’s hearts.” Currently residing in Dubai, he remains outside U.S. jurisdiction, and a court date for his case has not been established.
The festival screening included an extravagant gala event, complete with a speech from Spacey, performances by an opera singer, and traditional Georgian dancers. The film’s trailer, which was revealed at the event, features an ensemble cast that includes Spacey alongside well-known actors such as Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, and Eric Roberts.
“Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force” is set to explore a conflict between two ancient supernatural factions: the Holiguards and the Statiguards. The storyline escalates as one faction uses a cosmic portal to connect with an ancient entity known as the Prime. Okhotnikov has noted that his screenplay incorporates his libertarian ideals, aiming to delve into the ongoing tension between conformity and individual freedom.
The project aligns with Spacey’s gradual return to the film industry following his acquittal on sexual assault charges in 2023. Alongside this film, Okhotnikov has also been engaged in developing a metaverse wellness venture named Holiverse, which seeks to merge various aspects of health and technology to extend human lifespans.
As the film industry observes this high-profile collaboration amid significant controversy, “Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force” sets the stage for a potential trilogy while stirring conversations about the intersection of art, ethics, and the complexities of the cryptocurrency landscape.
