Archive of films Sofia’s Last Ambulance / Poslednata lineika na Sofia
Bulgaria / Croatia / Germany
2012, 75 min
Section:
Documentary Films - Competition
Year: 2012
In his observational documentary, award-winning director Ilian Metev offers us a highly authentic look at the exhausting and often frustrating work of Sofia’s three-member ambulance crews as they rush to save the lives of people in need in the Bulgarian capital.
Synopsis
In his gripping documentary, award-winning director Ilian Metev offers us a highly authentic look at the exhausting and often frustrating work of Sofia’s three-member ambulance crews as they rush to save the lives of people in need in the Bulgarian capital. Owing to the low earnings of the crumbling health care system, a mere 13 ambulances now handle all the work demanded by a city of two million. So despite their best efforts, charismatic Dr. Yordanov, nurse Mila, and driver Plamen sometimes get to their patients four hours late. The movie follows the crew over the course of a 48hour shift, allowing viewers (with the help of a camera mounted on the ambulance dashboard) to share the ins and outs of their demanding work. Dramatic situations – saving a life or a collision with an inattentive driver – are intermingled with short cinematic moments of relaxation over a cigarette and a funny story.
About the director
Ilian Metev (b. 1981) was born in Bulgaria but grew up in Germany. He started his career as a gifted violinist and worked for a German classical music radio station. After studying art at St. Martins (where he dabbled in 16 mm film), he finished up his studies in 2008 at Britain’s National Film and Television School. Since then he has endeavored to find new challenges in the use of film media and in shifting the language of film. His graduate movie, Goleshovo (2008), investigates a forgotten town in the mountains of Bulgaria; the film received a total of 15 awards at various festivals. Sofia’s Last Ambulance is his feature-length debut, which was at Cannes in the Critics’ Week.
Contacts
Films Boutique
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Germany
Tel: +49 306 953 7850
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.filmsboutique.com
About the film
Color, HD CAM
Section: | Documentary Films - Competition |
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Director: | Ilian Metev |
Dir. of Photography: | Ilian Metev |
Editor: | Ilian Metev, Betina Ip |
Producer: | Dimitar Gotchev, Siniša Juričić, Ingmar Trost, Ilian Metev |
Production: | Sutor Kolonko, Nukleus film, SIA Advertising, Chaconna Films |
Contact: | Films Boutique |
Guests
Ilian Metev
Film Director
Ingmar Trost
Producer
Cristina Cavaliere
Sales Agent
Siniša Juričić
Producer, Tutor / Trainer
Betina Ip
Film Crew