BLAGA’S LESSONS
by Stephan Komandarev




Synopsis
When a retired, recently widowed teacher falls prey to a phone scam, she’s left robbed of her life savings and without any money for her late husband’s grave.
Her life turns upside down when she realises that there’s no way of gaining her money back, up until she receives an alluring, yet suspicious offer for work.
The tables turn as she takes matters into her own hands and cash begins rolling in, this time claiming her most prized attribute:
Her values, as she slowly and surely transforms into the scammer herself.
In this eerie suspense drama, Stephan Komandarev («Directions» Un Certain Regard 2017) chronicles step by step the journey of a woman swirling into the vicious cycle of the dog-eat-dog reality outside her window.
“A damning, despairing, riveting thriller”
“Blaga’s lurch into crime steers the film into breathless suspense territory”
Variety“A wintry character study, driven by the slowburn tension of a thriller”
“Skorcheva was deservedly named best actress for her magnetic taut and
unsmiling central performance as Blaga.”
Screen“A Gripping Drama Powered by a Magnificent Lead Performance”
The Hollywood Reporter“Uncompromising”
“The unequivocal sharpness of the script, owes much of its effectiveness on screen to Skorcheva’s solid presence.”
Cineuropa
Info
Suspense Drama
2023 – Bulgaria, Germany
114 mins
Directed by: Stephan Komandarev
Written by: Simeon Ventsislavov, Stephan Komandarev
Produced by: Argo Film
Co-produced by: 42film (DE),
Bulgarian National Television
Producers: Stephan Komandarev, Katya Trichkova
Co-producers: Eike Goreczka, Christoph Kukula
Festivals
Bulgaria’s Official Oscar® Entry 2024
Karlovy Vary IFF (World Premiere)
– Crystal Globe for Best Film
– Best Actress Award
– Prize of the 29th Ecumenical Jury
Sarajevo FF
Cinehilm FF
– FIPRESCI AWARD
Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature FF
– Best Film
– Best Screenplay
– Best Actress
– Best Cinematography
– Audience Award
– Special Award for Gerasim Georgiev
– SBFD Award