Blaga's Lessons (Bulgarian: Уроците на Блага, romanized: Urotsite na Blaga) is a 2023 drama film directed and produced by Stephan Komandarev, who co-wrote it with Simeon Ventsislavov.[2] The film stars Eli Skorcheva as Blaga, a retired schoolteacher in Shumen, who is grieving the recent death of her husband and falls victim to a criminal scam while trying to raise the money to pay for his gravestone.[3]
| Blaga's Lessons | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Bulgarian | Уроците на Блага |
| Directed by | Stephan Komandarev |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Vesselin Hristov |
| Edited by | Nina Altaparmakova |
| Music by | Kalina Vasileva |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 114 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Bulgarian |
| Budget | €1.14 million[1] |
Blaga's Lessons premiered at the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it won the Crystal Globe for Best Film. It was selected as the Bulgarian entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. It also fetched Silver Peacock-Best Direction at the 54th International Film Festival of India.[4]
An international co-production of Bulgaria and Germany, the film is the final installment in Komandarev's trilogy on Bulgarian social issues, following Directions (2017) and Rounds (2019).
Premise
editBlaga is a retired teacher who falls prey to a cunning phone scam, leaving her penniless. As hope dwindles and her dreams fade away, a tantalizing yet enigmatic job opportunity emerges on her horizon. Once a strict and honest woman, she slowly begins to trample on all her principles.
Cast
edit- Eli Skorcheva as Blaga
- Stefan Denolyubov
- Ivaylo Hristov
- Ivan Barnev
- Gerasim Gerasimov
- Rozalia Abgarian
- Assen Blatechki
- Irini Zhambonas
Production
editDevelopment
editIn 2021, it was announced that Stephan Komandarev was working on a film with the working title Hello, which would center around a 70-year-old retired teacher and wrap up his trilogy on Bulgarian societal issues which began with Directions (2017) and Rounds (2019).[5] It was also reported that the film would be Eli Skorcheva's return to acting after a 30-year break.[1]
Production
editProduction on the movie was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography eventually began in 2021; however, it experienced further delays after multiple crew members contracted the virus.[1][6]
Release
editBlaga's Lessons premiered in-competition at the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival,[7] where it won the Crystal Globe for Best Film[8] and the Ecumenical Jury Award,[9] and Skorcheva won the award for Best Actress.[8]
The film will receive a theatrical release in Bulgaria on 17 November 2023.[10] It had its North American premiere at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival, in the International Narrative Competition lineup,[11] and was also screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival on 6 October,[12] and at the 18th Rome Film Festival, where it was screened in the same month.[13]
Reception
editCritical response
editBlaga's Lessons has an approval rating of 100% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 7 reviews, and an average rating of 7.5/10.[14]
Awards and nominations
editIn September 2023, the film was selected as Bulgaria's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Dobroiu, Ștefan (27 May 2021). "Stephan Komandarev to focus on Bulgaria's elderly in Blaga's Lessons". Cineuropa. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Wise, Damon (18 July 2023). "'Blaga's Lessons' Review: Brutal Drama Packs A Provocative Punch – Karlovy Vary Int'l Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (5 July 2023). "'Blaga's Lessons' Review: A Victim Turns Venal In a Bitterly Potent Social Thriller From Bulgaria". Variety. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "Winners at IFFI54". Press Information Bureau. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (8 September 2023). "Oscars: Bulgaria Selects Karlovy Vary Winner 'Blaga's Lessons' For International Film Race". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Markova, Hortensia (14 September 2023). "Стефан Командарев: За "Уроците на Блага" случайността ни срещна с Ели Скорчева в една градинка с кучето ѝ". 24 Chasa (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Hristova, Mariana (4 July 2023). "Review: Blaga's Lessons". Cineuropa. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b Szalai, Georg; Feinberg, Scott (8 July 2023). "'Blaga's Lessons' Wins Karlovy Vary Film Fest's Top Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (4 July 2023). "Karlovy Vary Reveals Award Winners: 'Blaga's Lessons' Takes Key Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Marinova, Venelina (8 September 2023). ""Уроците на Блага" - последният филм на Стефан Командарев тръгва по кината от 17 ноември". Fakti (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Nikkhah Azad, Navid (31 August 2023). "Lineup for 2023 Calgary International Film Festival Revealed". Ziz. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Scarpa, Vittoria (25 September 2023). "The 18th Rome Film Fest is very nearly ready to go". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ "Blaga's Lessons | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.