The Bulgarian film "Fear" participates in the 37th European Film Festival in Canada
The Bulgarian film Fear (2020) by the director Ivaylo Hristov participates in the 37th edition of the traditional European film festival in Canada, which takes place from November 17 - December 10, 2022. The Bulgarian production is included in the program of the festival with three screenings – in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Traditionally organized by the EU Delegation in Ottawa in partnership with the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa, the European Film Festival in Toronto, the Cinematheque in Vancouver and the active participation of the embassies, consulates general and cultural institutes of the EU Member States in Canada, the festival is an eagerly awaited annual event successfully presenting the filmmaking of EU member states to Canadian audiences. Within the 37th edition of the festival, films from all 27 EU member states are presented. For the first time, as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, the program of the festival, for the purpose of charity, also includes a screening of a feature film from Ukraine.
The Bulgarian participation in this year's edition of the festival was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa and the State Institute for Cultural at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The European Film Festival in Canada was officially opened in Toronto on November 16 by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU with the film Havel.
On November 21, the Bulgarian film was screened at the Spadina Theater in Toronto, with great success. More than 150 spectators, representatives of the Bulgarian and Canadian communities, were present in the hall. A special guest at the event was the Consul General of the USA in Toronto, Mrs. Susan Crystal. After the screening, a lively discussion took place, with representatives of the Canadian Immigration Service answering many questions from the audience.
On November 22, Fear was presented in Ottawa. Immediately before the screening, the chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa, Mrs. Antonia Alexieva, greeted the multinational audience that had attended the screening, in which she expressed her satisfaction with the possibility to present the production. Mrs. Alexieva shared interesting details about the history of its creation and the awards and the recognition won by the creative team. She thankfully noted the contribution of the representatives of the State Institute for Culture to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, the representatives of the EU Delegation and the representatives of the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa, who made possible the screening of the film on the territory of Canada. After the screening, the audience shared many positive impressions.
About the film:
Year: 2020
Director: Ivaylo Hristov
Starring: Svetlana Yancheva and Michael Fleming
Cinematographer: Emil Hristov
Composer: Kiril Donchev
Producer: Asen Vladimirov
Fear is a provocative film filled with startling moments and layered humor. The film is black and white – a visual decision that has become Ivaylo Hristov's trademark as a director. The story is a combination of drama and comedy, which takes us to the Bulgarian border, where a new channel of refugees arriving from Turkey has been broken. The plot revolves around a laid-off teacher who helps a black refugee in a small border village who brings a dramatic turn in her life.
The film won a number of international awards:
The Grand Prize - Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival in 2020;
Best actress for Svetlana Yancheva - Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival in 2020;
Grand Prize at the Black Nights International Film Festival in Tallinn, Estonia;
Winner of “Best Feature Film" at the Festival of Bulgarian Cinema in Paris;
"Best Feature Film" at the Kazan International Film Festival.
Fear was the Bulgarian nomination for the "Oscar" award for the best international film for 2021. The director of the film, Ivaylo Hristov, was awarded "Best Director" at the "Eurasian Bridge" international film festival in Yalta.