Transgression (2017 film)

Transgression
Promotional release poster
Directed byVal Todorov
Written byVal Todorov
Based onDaddy Dear
by Val Todorov
Starring
Cinematography
  • Kiril Prodanov
  • Mihail Boevski
Music by
  • Smallmen
  • Cherno Feredje
  • Beloslava
Production
company
Demiurgia
Distributed byHBO
Release dates
  • 31 October 2017 (2017-10-31) (Sofia)
  • 6 May 2021 (2021-05-06) (HBO)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryBulgaria
LanguageBulgarian

Transgression (Bulgarian: Трансгресия) is a 2017 Bulgarian coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Val Todorov, and based on his 2016 novel Daddy Dear.[1] It stars Maria Bakalova, Rosen Penchev and Joanna-Izabella Varbanova, and follows an 18-year old (Bakalova) who has a relationship with an older has-been rock musician (Penchev).[2]

Plot

18-year-old Yana gives an interview on a talk show. Baited and provoked by the irritating and arrogant host, she talks about her life and confesses that she is in an intimate relationship with Stoil, a rock musician who is twice her age. The studio audience, filled with indignation, starts commenting on Yana's revelation, and shows their lack of approval. This leads to a chase by a vigilante group of hunters and other complications.[3]

The film is divided into three parts: Him and Her, The Others, and The Hunt. Its nonlinear narrative follows Yana's memories: wild parties, a motorcycle rally, July Morning, a threesome with her best girlfriend, beach-side bonfires, a crypto-gay machista's birthday, a cheap tattoo shop, a posh spa hotel, wine tasting, pot smoking and transgressive sex.[4]

Cast

  • Maria Bakalova as Yana
  • Rosen Penchev as Stoil
  • Joanna-Izabella Varbanova as Nina
  • Lazara Zlatareva as Kaka Lara

Release

The film premiered in Europe in 2017, and had its worldwide release on HBO in 2021.[5]

Reception

The film received several accolades including the Arthouse Feature Film Award at the Depth of Field International Film Festival and Best Actress at the Toronto Alternative Film Festival for Bakalova's role.[6][7] Bakalova also received a nomination for Best Actress at the Queen Palm Film Festival.[8]

References

  1. ^ Jeleva, Pavlina (25 September 2018). "FNE at Golden Rose National Film Festival 2018: Transgression". Film New Europe. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  2. ^ Lynch, David (23 November 2020). "Maria Bakalova Is the Borat Sequel Breakout, but Transgression Showed What She Can Do". Paste. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Ново българско игрално кино: "Трансгресия"" (in Bulgarian). Sofia International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Transgression". FilmFreeway. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Bistra (10 May 2021). "'Трансгресия': докъде сме готови да стигнем от любов". Momichetata (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Depth of Field International Film Festival Competition". IMDb. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  7. ^ Molloy, Tim (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Actress Who Plays Borat's Daughter". MovieMaker. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  8. ^ "August 2018 Feature Nominations". Queen Palm International Film Festival. Retrieved 4 April 2022.