Bezbog

A dull, slow telling of a depressing, ugly story. The fact that it rings true to life does not make it any more palatable.

Like much of contemporary Bulgarian cinema the film dwells on issues dealing with the corrupt and cynical legacy of a post-communist state in which police, criminals and judiciary co-exist hand-in-glove to the detriment of ordinary people and society as a whole. There are however no redeeming features, no fulfilling outcome, just an ever darkening absence of innocence.

I am at a loss to understand the enthusiastic reception the film has enjoyed; was it the ever lingering long closeups of the main character, the expressionless acting, the uninspired cinematography or the slow linear storytelling that merited awards?

If you want a punchy, impactful and memorable film that deals with the same reality, I suggest you watch Glory (Slava) instead; it's dark but funny and refreshing in equal measures.