NEWS

The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a screening and discussion of the award-winning Bulgarian film, Fear, on Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Armour Street Theatre.

 “[A] powerful, surreal, and often funny portrait of Eastern Europe…” Annie Brodie, What She Said

Directed by Ivaylo Hristov

Bulgaria (2020,1h41)

In Bulgarian with English subtitles

Discussion of the film will be led by Anna Cushman, a Charlotte lawyer specializing in Immigration Law.

 Walk-ins are welcome, $9 at the door, cash or check (no credit cards). Walk-ins must apply for a seat in advance at [email protected]. Walk-in seats are limited by availability.

 Refreshments (red and white wine, bottled water, and snacks) will be made available by the Film Club.

 

 

Film Summary:

Svetla, a strong-willed widow, lives alone in a small Bulgarian village close to the Turkish border. She has recently lost her job as a teacher since the school was closed due to the lack of families with young children. There are many cases of refugees in her village due to its location. One day, while hunting in a forest, she encounters an African refugee, Bamba (from Mali), who is trying to reach Germany. Reluctantly, she offers him hospitality, but day after day, a bond develops as Bamba begins to learn the language and takes part in her daily life. Svetla will make life-changing choices that go against her traditional community, creating a revolt among the villagers. . .

women find the hope of new freedom, of independence. . .

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer (Critical Opinion): 100%!

Official submission of Bulgaria for the “Best International Feature Film” at the Academy Awards in 2022.

 Best Film winner at the Sofia International Film Festival and the Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival; Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Actress awards at various other film festivals.

 “Bulgarian writer-director Ivaylo Hristov’s Fear portrays humanity with brute honesty and moments of levity.” Ray Gill Jr. Willamette Week”

“The director, Ivaylo Hristov, is adept at slow-burning suspense and comic misdirection.” A.O. Scott, New York Times

“This warmly ingratiating piece in cool widescreen monochrome is a keeper, reminiscent of bittersweet fish-out-of-water arthouse hits like “The Band’s Visit,” as well as select gems from Soviet-bloc nations’ 1960s new wave.” Dennis Harvey, Variety

“While the politics of racism, bigotry and hate are the underlying current to the setting, it is the gentle love story that develops between two lonely, and very different in many ways, people who find each other despite the above-named obstacles.” Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews

“We might be laughing at this small-town mentality, but we’ll soon also be feeling a growing fear about what might happen to Sveta and Bamba as things begin to spiral.” Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film

 “A delightful take on a serious subject that ends on a note of whimsy and will reward anyone willing to give it a chance.” Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews

 Our website www.davidsonfilmclub.com features the whole current series and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it?

We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope that many of you will be at the June 24 screening of this alternately frightening, funny, and heart-warming film!

Alan
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]
(704) 231-6736