The Days of Bulgarian Cinema in Slovakia Open with the Film About Alzek Mishev "Flying with Fins"
On October 9 at 6:30 PM, the Days of Bulgarian Cinema in Slovakia will officially open at Kino Lumière in Bratislava with the premiere of the documentary film "Flying with Fins," dedicated to the remarkable artist and avant-gardist Alzek Mishev. The film, directed by Maria Averina, who is well-known for her award-winning documentaries, received the prestigious Best Bulgarian Documentary Film Award at the Master of Art 2024 Festival, presented by the State Institute for Culture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
"Flying with Fins" takes viewers on an exciting journey through the creative life of Alzek Mishev, an artist who began his career in Bulgaria in the 1960s, inspired by abstract expressionism. The film showcases his personal and artistic evolution, following his bold decision to leave communist Bulgaria in 1971 and settle in Italy. There, Mishev became one of the leading figures in performance art during the 1970s and 1980s, combining painting, performance, and musical experiments. The audience will be introduced to his avant-garde explorations and philosophical reflections on art and freedom.
Maria Averina's film immerses us in different aspects of Mishev's life—his paintings, artistic performances, and personal moments, including his return to Bulgaria after 50 years of separation. The film is not just a biographical narrative but a deep reflection on the meaning of art and life.
After the screening of "Flying with Fins," viewers will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion with director Maria Averina. She is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, with numerous awards from prestigious festivals and an educational background from institutions like Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," New Bulgarian University, and Royal Holloway, University of London. Averina is a lecturer at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA) and a member of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers.
The Days of Bulgarian Cinema in Slovakia will continue with screenings of four more films, showcasing the diversity of contemporary Bulgarian cinema across various genres and themes. All films will be shown in their original versions with Czech subtitles, and admission to the screenings is free. Tickets can be reserved in advance through the Kino Lumière website or collected at the cinema's box office on the day of the screening.
The event is organized by the Bulgarian Cultural Union under the patronage of His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Slovakia, Mr. Vasil Petkov, and is supported by the Fund for the Support of National Minority Cultures. The festival aims to promote Bulgarian culture and cinema in Slovakia by presenting some of the most notable achievements of Bulgarian filmmakers.