Sneakers

Colour, 35 mm
Bulgaria, 2011, 110 min
Section: East of the West - Films in Competition

Synopsis

The lives of six young people intersect during the course of a summer spent on one of the last remaining wild and empty beaches on the Black Sea coast. They have all abandoned the city and left their worries and problems behind them – disagreements with parents, break-ups, financial straits.... Here in the virginal natural surroundings, somewhere outside time and space, they find a temporary paradise and longed-for freedom. The only conflicts they have with the real world are the occasional encounters with law enforcers who try to move them out of the protected conservation area. Via documentary footage of conversations captured on film by the actor Ivo during these tranquil days, each one of the group gradually reveals his or her dreams, desires and fears. Deep inside, they all know that the idyll won’t last forever.... This feature-length debut by the two young directors is a testimony infused with contagious energy reflecting the authentic statement of a generation. It is also proof that Bulgaria’s up and coming directors, whose films have enjoyed an increasing presence at important international film festivals in recent years, will continue to make their mark.

About the director

Valeri Yordanov (b. 1974, Sofia) studied acting at Sofia’s National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts. He works as a stage actor for the Bulgarian National Theatre and also as a film actor. He played one of the leading roles in Ivan Cherkelov’s film Crayfish (Raci), which was screened in the East of the West competition at KVIFF in 2009. Sneakers is his directorial debut, in which he plays one of the main roles. Ivan Vladimirov (b. 1976, Pernik, Bulgaria) completed his studies at Sofia’s National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in 2001. He worked as assistant director on various feature films in 1998-2007. His short film Waltzes and Tangos from the Village of Whitewater (Valtsove i tanga ot tselo Byela voda, 2007) was premiered at the Locarno IFF in 2007 and was subsequently screened at several other international film festivals. Sneakers is his feature film directorial debut.