We in the US, Canada and Western Europe associate the '60s with flower power, along with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. This was not the case with Eastern Europe. Under the Soviet boot, the Eastern Bloc experienced severe repression. A number of movies have depicted this, but Bulgaria's submission to the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film gives a particularly gritty look. Yavor Gardev's "Zift" focuses on a man who just spent several years in a hellish prison, only to have trouble navigating the new Sofia upon his release.
The movie has some of the ugliest, most grotesque stuff that I've ever seen in movies. And they play it out masterfully. Not the ultimate masterpiece, but it leaves little to the imagination. This is the first Bulgarian movie that I've ever seen, so I'd like to see more. In the meantime, I recommend this one.
The movie has some of the ugliest, most grotesque stuff that I've ever seen in movies. And they play it out masterfully. Not the ultimate masterpiece, but it leaves little to the imagination. This is the first Bulgarian movie that I've ever seen, so I'd like to see more. In the meantime, I recommend this one.