EFF: Fear

“A gentle, regionally-specific comedy.” — Screen International

Shot in beautiful black and white, Fear is an intriguing blend of drama, romance and ultra black comedy with its social satire about racial prejudice in small communities. 

Svetla, a strong-willed widow, lives alone in a small Bulgarian village close to the Turkish border. She has recently lost her job as a teacher due to the lack of families with young children. One day, while hunting in a forest, she encounters an African refugee, Bamba, who is trying to reach Germany, and will bring about a dramatic turn in her life. Reluctantly, she offers him hospitality, but day after day, a bond develops as Bamba learns the language and takes part in her daily life. Svetla will make life-changing choices that go against her traditional community creating a revolt among the villagers. Absurd, comic and tragic situations ensue as she breaks barriers of loneliness, close mindedness and fear of the outsider.  

Content warning: Contains racially abusive language. 

Rating

E

Language

English, Bulgarian (English Subtitles)

Cast

Svetlana Yancheva, Michael Fleming, Ivan Savov, Stoyan Bochev, Krassimir Dokov, Miroslava Gogovska

Director

Ivaylo Hristov