Challenged the choice of the Bulgarian proposal for “Oscar”

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“Fear” by Ivaylo Hristov is our contender for “Oscar”

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“Fear” by director Ivaylo Hristov was elected as a representative of our country before the American Film Academy by a special commission formed specifically for the occasion by the National Film Center. It was headed by Prof. Bozhidar Manov, and Ushev, who in 2017 entered the Oscars with “Blind Vaisha”, also took part in it.

Here is what he wrote on Facebook:

“Just before leaving Bulgaria, I agreed to participate in the commission for determining the Bulgarian participant for the best foreign film. In fact, I postponed my ticket to participate.

We had to be 7 people. I will not name the other members of the commission, I leave it to them to report it.

I will not comment on the qualities of the proposed films. There was an interesting discussion, quite meaningful, by the way.

In the end, it became clear that no one was willing to deviate from their principles. The result – 4: 3 in favor of “Fear” by director Ivaylo Hristov (3 votes had “Women really cry”)

By taste and color, no friends. But the generational division in our tastes and perceptions made an impression …

But there was one problem that bothered me a lot.

I apologize for writing this only now, but I was on my way, so to speak.

And he was that out of the planned 7 people, only … 5 were present!

In fact, if only the votes of those present were counted, the result would be 3: 2 in favor of “Women really cry”.

The other two had only cast their votes. So, in practice, the discussion didn’t make any sense, because in the end, the cards came together anyway and the case was mechanically solved.

One participant had good reasons for absence (operation – the question remains why he was not replaced?)

At least he was available by phone (we talked to him).

The other was hiding. He was inaccessible – where he was, there was no internet, no phone …?! What is this place?

The question remains for me – what is the point of such gatherings and discussions, if it all comes down to an elementary voice?

If the arguments remain in the air, or some “great” factor has not bothered to hear or expose his own?

For me, personally, the conclusions are clear:

1. The result thus obtained is illegitimate.

2. Bulgarian cinema continues to be guided and driven by archaic and dubious principles and authorities.

3. I personally will no longer participate in any commissions, committees and other meaningless activities related to Bulgarian cinema. Until he saw a real desire for change.

4. Systemic Racism, Systemic Sexism and Systemic Cultural Denialism continue to exist in Bulgaria.

n. Please do not read this status as a critique of the film “Fear”. The film has its undoubted merits and qualities (Emil Hristov’s camera and Svetlana Yancheva’s play are phenomenal) and I hope for its worthy performance, “wrote Teodor Ushev.