Bulgaria, Germany 2024Language:BulgarianSubtitles:GermanDirector:Eliza PetkovaWriter:Eliza PetkovaCinematographer:Constanze SchmittEditor:Eliza Petkova, Hannes MargetSound:Hannes MargetProducer:Veselka KiryakovaProduction Company:Red CarpetDistributor:missingFILMs96 min, Colour

Tonka, Arkan, Valya, Marga and Doncho are a horse, a dog, a goat, a cat and a donkey, from whose perspective we observe life in the remote mountain village of Pirin. It is characterised by a traditional way of living and a superstition that brings a smile to our lips. Has the cat become a vampire? Is the donkey a bewitched son? Gently and without haste, the director develops her documentary, which focuses on the silent feelings of the animals. Light and movement are afforded a special prominence and are complemented by congenial sound. The film is a poetic and sensual view of human-animal relationships – seemingly from another era.

Age rated: 12+

Director's Biography:Director's Biography:Eliza Petkova, born in Bulgaria in 1983, studied philosophy, modern Japan in Düsseldorf, and directing at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin. Since 2008, she has been working in Berlin as a freelance filmmaker and has already received a number of awards. 

Director's Filmography:

2021 BÜRGERMEISTER, SCHÄFER, WITWE, DRACHE (DOC)
2020 EIN FISCH, DER AUF DEM RÜCKEN SCHWIMMT
2016 NABELSCHNUR (SHORT)
2016 ZHALEIKA


Director's photo: © Constanze Schmitt