VIC and NSW Premiere
“...a marvellous and timely piece of satirical filmmaking that reflects not only the past but the present.” – Nadine Whitney, AWFJ.org
In this loopy political satire set after the fall of communism and led by a wickedly deadpan performance by Oscar-nominated star Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), a classified task force of high-rank Bulgarian Army officers led by a powerful psychic channeler start digging a hole in search of a mysterious artifact. The head of the Army’s Science Department is tasked as leader of the expedition and, due to unforeseen circumstances, is accompanied by his timid daughter Slava (Bakalova), who is quickly declared a powerful “signal conductor” able to communicate with the alien who is guiding the team in unearthing the powerful relic.
Directors Petar Valchanov and Kristina Grozeva have created an absurdly and singularly satirical film which is, outrageously, based on true events. Bakalova’s droll comic styling balance out this absurd story that speaks to a worrying present where nationalism and military madness continue to echo across the globe.
Academy Awards – Bulgaria’s submission for the Best International Feature Film
World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024
Unclassified 18+
97 min
Bulgaria, Greece
Bulgarian (English Subtitles)
Maria Bakalova, Margita Gosheva, Julian Vergov, Julian Kostov
Petar Valchanov,Kristina Grozeva