Archive of films Sneakers / Kecove

Bulgaria
2011, 110 min

Section: East of the West - Competition
Year: 2011

The lives of six young people intersect during the course of a summer spent on a wild beach on the Black Sea coast. They have all abandoned the city and left their worries behind them. Here in the virginal natural surroundings, they find a temporary paradise and longed-for freedom. This feature-length debut by two young Bulgarian directors is a testimony infused with contagious energy reflecting the authentic statement of a generation.

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.

Contacts

Gala Film Ltd.
1b, Strumitza str., 1000, Sofia
Bulgaria
Tel: +359 298 142 09
Fax: +359 298 129 71
E-mail: [email protected]

About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	East of the West - Competition

Director:	Ivan Vladimirov, Valeri Yordanov
Screenplay:	Valeri Yordanov
Dir. of Photography:	Rali Raltchev
Music:	Kiril Dobrev
Editor:	Svetlana Kirilova
Producer:	Galina Toneva, Kiril Kirilov
Production:	Gala Film Ltd.
Cast:	Philip Avramov, Valeri Yordanov, Ivan Barnev, Vassil Draganov, Ivo Arakov, Ina Nikolova
Contact:	Gala Film Ltd.

Guests

Galina Toneva

Producer

Ivan Vladimirov

Film Director

Valeri Yordanov

Film Director

Ina Nikolova

Actress

Pilip Avramov

Actor

Ivo Arakov

Actor

Kiril Kirilov

Producer