In a bold return to directing, Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey has revealed his latest creative endeavor—Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force. Premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, the sci-fi project delves into themes of freedom and control, based on a script by Russian entrepreneur and controversial crypto figure Vladimir Okhotnikov. But it isn’t just the story that’s stirring conversation—its connection to the Forsage crypto Ponzi scandal is igniting both curiosity and scrutiny across the crypto and entertainment sectors.
Okhotnikov, who currently resides in Dubai, is facing serious SEC charges and DOJ charges in the United States over his alleged role in orchestrating a $300 million decentralized finance (DeFi) Ponzi scheme using Ethereum-based smart contracts. While the film itself is cinematic fiction, the real-life financial and legal implications behind Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force have made it a central point in the ongoing crossover between blockchain drama and Hollywood storytelling.
The crypto web behind Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force
The origins of the film lie in the libertarian ideologies promoted by its writer, Vladimir Okhotnikov, best known in blockchain circles as a co-founder of Forsage. Though framed as a decentralized income-generating opportunity, Forsage is at the heart of one of the most infamous crypto scandals in recent memory. Prosecutors allege that the Forsage crypto Ponzi funneled funds from new investors to those who joined earlier, creating a pyramid scheme cloaked in DeFi terminology.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed civil charges in 2022, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) followed with criminal charges in 2023, naming Okhotnikov and other Forsage developers. Interestingly, Holiguards Saga was already in production during these proceedings, suggesting the film’s timeline overlaps with the height of legal scrutiny. Despite mounting legal and ethical questions, Okhotnikov insists on his innocence—and uses platforms like YouTube to make his case.
Kevin Spacey’s bold comeback raises eyebrows
This film marks Kevin Spacey’s public re-emergence as both a director and lead actor, following a prolonged absence from Hollywood due to his own legal challenges. Joining Spacey in Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force are action legends Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, and Eric Roberts—a casting choice adding to both the film’s marketable appeal and its bizarre circumstances.
While Spacey has remained tight-lipped about the SEC charges surrounding the screenwriter, the timing of the project has led to debates about ethics and accountability in both creative partnerships and crypto investments. Critics argue that working with someone under federal indictment for managing a fraudulent scheme that exploited Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Tron could damage reputations across both industries.
DeFi, Ethereum, and Hollywood—A risky fusion?
Forsage marketed itself as a decentralized application (dApp) that relied on Ethereum smart contracts to distribute referral commissions. Yet federal investigators claim this structure was merely a technological shield disguising typical Ponzi behavior. According to the SEC, over 80% of participants lost money, and there were no real services or products despite millions in transactions.
Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force doesn’t explicitly address these details but thematically explores the dichotomy between systemic order and personal freedom—a central pillar of Okhotnikov’s libertarian philosophy. The film is also positioned as the first entry in a planned trilogy, suggesting the creators believe there is more story (and controversy) to tell.
The Venice Film Festival debut adds global spotlight
Unveiled at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Holiguards Saga has drawn international media attention not only for its cast and science fiction elements, but also because of its creator’s legal history. As both entertainment and crypto journalists investigate deeper, discussions are swirling on Twitter, Reddit, and Discord, with many wondering how such a high-profile crypto figure linked to a DeFi scandal found his way into Hollywood’s orbit.
The festival submission itself hasn’t breached any legal boundaries—Okhotnikov hasn’t been extradited or convicted, and Dubai offers no extradition treaty with the U.S. However, this unusual merging of alleged fraud and creative cinema suggests that international boundaries in both law and art are being tested.
What Holiguards Saga means for crypto’s public image
The appearance of Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force on the festival circuit is more than a quirky headline—it reflects how intertwined crypto culture has become with mainstream society, sometimes in chaotic or morally gray ways. Whether it’s an NFT collection, DeFi project, or now a feature film, blockchain innovation frequently crosses into pop culture spaces.
Yet the problem arises when tech claims and slogans mask financial exploitation. The Forsage crypto Ponzi case primes regulators for future enforcement, while Holiguards Saga offers a rare narrative lens to discuss such ideology-driven products. It serves as a case study in what happens when storytelling, Ethereum, ideology, and law intersect—and not always cleanly.
Frequently asked questions about Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force (FAQ)
What is Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force?
It’s a sci-fi film directed by Kevin Spacey and scripted by Vladimir Okhotnikov, unveiled at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. The film explores themes of freedom, control, and ideology.
Why is the film controversial?
Its writer, Okhotnikov, is facing SEC and DOJ charges related to the Forsage crypto Ponzi scheme, which misused Ethereum and other smart contract platforms to defraud investors of over $300 million.
How is Ethereum connected to the Forsage scheme?
Forsage operated using smart contracts on Ethereum, Tron, and BNB Chain. These contracts automatically redirected new investor funds to earlier users, mimicking pyramid scheme behavior.
Is Kevin Spacey involved in the crypto allegations?
No, there’s no public evidence suggesting Spacey had any role in Forsage. His involvement appears limited to directing and acting in the film.
Will there be more films in the Holiguards Saga series?
Yes, the creators have stated Holiguards Saga—The Portal of Force is the first in a planned trilogy.
Sources to this article
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2022). SEC Charges Developers of Forsage, a $300 Million Crypto Pyramid and Ponzi Scheme. https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-134
United States Department of Justice. (2023). DOJ Charges Russian Nationals and Others with Global Crypto Fraud Scheme. https://www.justice.gov/
Venice Film Festival. (2025). Film Screening Schedules and Press Releases. https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025/official-selection
BlockAI. (2025). Kevin Spacey Reveals Film Created With Alleged Crypto Ponzi Schemer. https://defidonkey.com/en
Okhotnikov, V. (2022). Personal YouTube Statement on Forsage Allegations. https://www.youtube.com/
