2024, Bulgaria, Germany, 96 minutes, documentary
Director: Eliza Petkova
Script: Eliza Petkova
Camera: Constanze Schmitt
Music: Adam Goodwin, Anil Eraslan, Jung-Jae Kim, Lukas Akintaya, Shingo Masuda
Producer: Veselka Kiryakova
Production: Red Carpet
Co-production: Wood Water Films, Cinemanda
In a remote Bulgarian mountain village, six animals reveal the mysterious world of superstition. A cat is believed to be a vampire, a donkey is seen as a bewitched man, and a dog is accused of killing chickens. Through the animals’ eyes, we witness the gradual disappearance of people. Time appears frozen, and transience remains the only constant.
Eliza Petkova
Eliza Petkova studied Film Directing at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. Her debut feature “Zhaleika” (2016) premiered at the 66th Berlinale and received a Special Mention. Her second feature “A Fish Swimming Upside Down” (2020) was also presented at the Berlinale. Her documentary “Mayor, Shepherd, Widow, Dragon” (2021) premiered at the Shanghai Film Festival. “Silent Observers” (2024) premiered at IDFA in Amsterdam.
Filmography:
2024 – Silent Observers
2021 – Mayor, Shepherd, Widow, Dragon
2020 – A Fish Swimming Upside Down
2016 – Zhaleika
Awards:
Sofia Film Fest 2024 – Special Mention