2024, Bulgaria, 117 minutes, feature film, drama
Based on the short story “Wedlock” by Nikolay Haitov
Director: Magdalena Ralcheva
Screenwriter: Yuri Dachev
Cinematographer: Emil Christov
Composer: Minko Lambov
Production Designer: Ivelina Mineva
Producer: Nuance Film
Cast: Radoslav Vladimirov, Ralitsa Stoyanova, Velislav Pavlov, Vasil Banov, Svetlana Yancheva, Gergana Dandanova, Mikhail Mutafov
At the turn of the 20th century, the Rhodope Mountains become the setting for an unusual love drama. The meeting between Haté and Meto is fateful, growing from youthful infatuation into an overwhelming love that transforms not only their lives but also that of the third person between them. Desire, sin, and a sense of duty bind them in a harsh world.
Festivals, Awards, and Nominations:
2024: Golden Rose, Varna – Critics Guild Award, Best Scenography
Jaipur IFF, India – Red Rose Award for Best Film, Best Visual Effects
Bridges IFF, Greece – Golden Pegasus for Cinematography, Best Production Design
Golden Aphrodite IFF, Cyprus – Best Director, Best Cinematography
Black Owl FF, Turkey – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress
Magdalena Ralcheva
Magdalena Ralcheva is a Bulgarian motion-picture director, producer and cultural figure. Ralcheva graduated from the” Krastyo Sarafov “ National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia with a master’s degree in film and television directing. Her feature films include Something More About Love (2010), 12A (2017) and Wedlock (2024), winner of numerous national and international accolades, including the Best Released Film Red Rose Award of the Jaipur International Film Festival. Her motion-picture directorial work is remarkable for its strong psychological portrayals, depth of imagery and visual aesthetics, which blends realism with poetic sensitivity. Magdalena Ralcheva is the founder and artistic director of the The Golden Linden International Film Festival for New European Cinema—a major forum promoting new European cinema and cultural decentralisation since 2013. With her films and her public engagement, Ralcheva has made a substantial contribution to the advancement and recognition of contemporary Bulgarian cinema both in Bulgaria and abroad.
Filmography:
2005 – “The Tenant”
2010 – “Something More About Love”
2017 – “12A”
2024 – “Wedlock”
Festivals, Awards and Nomimations
Golden Rose Bulgarian National Film Festival—2024, Varna, Bulgaria• Critics Guild Award—Magdalena Ralcheva
• Best Scenography Award—Ivelina Mineva
Jaipur International Film Festival—India• Best Released Film Red Rose Award—Magdalena Ralcheva
• Best Visual Rffects Award—Magdalena Ralcheva
Bridges International Film Festival—Corinth, Greece
• Golden Pegasus Award for Best Cinematography—Emil Christov
• Best Production Design—Magdalena Ralcheva
Golden Aphrodite International Film Festival—Cyprus
• Best Director—Magdalena Ralcheva
• Best Cinematography—Emil Christov
Black Owl Film Festival—Bodrum, Turkey
• Best Film—Magdalena Ralcheva
• Best Director—Magdalena Ralcheva
• Best Actress—Ralitsa Stoyanova