More than 60 movies will premiere in Bulgaria as part of the Master of Art Festival. Take time out to see them…the movies are on from 3pm until 10pm daily and none should be missed. This is the only Balkan international film festival of documentaries and commercials about the arts, now in its second year, and the tickets are more than affordable. The program is doubly richer, and there is double the number of Bulgarian projects, two new categories and a world premiere – part of the surprises at the festival, being held from April 20 to 30.
The two new categories are “Contemporary Art, Installation Art and Protest Art” and “Art Video Games”. Of the 60 movies chosen from around the world, nine are Bulgarian: “Who’s Afraid of Julia Kristeva” directed by Iskra Angelova and Milena Getova; “Bridge to Christo” by Lyubomir Pechev; “6 Minutes of Happiness” and “From Cremona to Cremona” by Maria Averina; Kamen Vodenicharov’s “The Master of Commedia”; “Sunflower Spaceship 1” by Vassil Goranov; Yana Titova’s “88MHz”; Lisa Boeva’s “The Summer of Mona Lisa”; and Nikolai Vassilev’s “The Way to Thebes”. On top of this, there will be events where you can meet the directors…all very good reasons to get excited.
The program includes one global, three international and two European premieres. “Arvo Pärt/Robert Wilson – The Lost Parade ” marks the official start to the festivalApril 20 at 4.30 pm at Lumière cinema. This is the first documentary film about Arvo Pärt, an Estonian classical composer. The film is intertwined with footage from the work for stage, Adam’s Lament, and includes three key works by Arvo Pärt, which American director Robert Wilson presented at the former Noblessner Foundry submarine factory in Tallinn in May 2015.
To pique your interest, here’s the trailer.
Another unique story is about David Lynch, the American film and television director and artist. The camera walks us through his studio in the Hollywood hills and we get to learn, through personal contact, about his life. “Midnight Return” shows the true story of Billy Hayes of “Midnight Express”.
One of the highlights is the world premiere of the Spanish film “Raymond Roussel: The Day of Glory” dedicated to the French writer and playwright who has inspired Salvador Dali, Marcel Proust, Enrique Vila-Matas and many other authors and artists.
Another interesting title is “Ellis,” the short film directed by JR, featuring Robert de Niro. It tells the story of immigrants struggling to arrive in the US to escape poverty, dictatorship or war. “The theme of the film is particularly important today,” says Nayo Titzin, artistic director of the Master of Art.
Another exciting premiere is the film “Who’s Afraid of Julia Kristeva?” directed by Iskra Angelova and Milena Getova, which tells the story of one of the greatest Bulgarian minds – Julia Kristeva, who is described as “a woman of Bulgarian origin, French nationality, European citizenship, adopted by America.”
“We support the Master of Art Festival because it allows the Bulgarian audience to experience global achievements in culture and art in all genres – music, dance, architecture, literature, theater, fine art,” said Nadia Zaharieva, Program Director, Arts And Culture at America for Bulgaria Foundation.”We have been trying to bring Yo-Yo Ma to Bulgaria for many years, but his program is extremely full. And here, at the Master of Art, the public can see him in ‘The Music of Strangers’. And as happened last year, we will give an award for the best Bulgarian documentary film, to encourage Bulgarian artists to express their point of view and to tell us about art on the screen.”
Master of Art is funded by America for Bulgaria Foundation and is organized by the Spotlight production company, the National Palace of Culture and the Master of Art Foundation. Screenings are at the Lumière, Odeon, G8 and Eurosina cinemas. The full program is here.
