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
Köpenicker Str. 184, 10997, Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 306 953 7850
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.filmsboutique.com

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About the film

Color, HD CAM

Section:	Documentary Films - Competition

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