Valeska Grisebach's New Film Explores Suspense and Slow Cinema in the Bulgarian Borderlands
Valeska Grisebach's newest film, following her 2017 release "Western," unfolds in the border area connecting Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. The narrative kicks off with Said (Syuleyman Alilov Letifov), who embarks on a journey from the Rhodope Mountains to finalize a diesel fuel transaction but mysteriously disappears. His friend, Veska (Yana Radewa), an archaeologist, embarks on a quest to find him while conducting excavations near Svilengrad, the largest border crossing in Europe. Her search leads her to Iliya (Stoycho Kostadinov), a formidable mobster entangled in human trafficking. Grisebach employs non-professional actors to craft a rich film that merges Western and gangster elements, highlighting themes of silence and patience, while skillfully maintaining tension and weaving in a delicate love story.
Key facts
- Valeska Grisebach directs the film, following her 2017 work "Western."
- The film features non-professional actors.
- Said (Syuleyman Alilov Letifov) travels from the Rhodope Mountains to Bulgarian Thrace for a diesel fuel deal with a local mobster.
- He reunites with archaeologist Veska (Yana Radewa) and then disappears.
- Veska searches for Said while excavating near Svilengrad, Europe's largest border crossing.
- The story involves Iliya (Stoycho Kostadinov), a mobster involved in human smuggling into the EU.
- The film blends Western, gangster, and arthouse genres in slow motion.
- It is described as a singular work in German cinema, mastering the suspense of non-events.
Entities
Artists
- Valeska Grisebach
- Syuleyman Alilov Letifov
- Yana Radewa
- Stoycho Kostadinov
- Volker Sievert
- Matthias Jordan
- Antje Wessels
Institutions
- Piffl Medien
- Komplizen Film
- FilmFest Hamburg
Locations
- Rhodope Mountains
- Bulgaria
- Thrace
- Greece
- Turkey
- Svilengrad
- Germany