On 10 March, the Sofia-based movie theater Lumiere hosted the world premiere of the Italian film Figli di Maam (Sons of Maam) as part of the Sofia International Film Festival. On this occasion guests of Sofia were the legendary actor Franco Nero and his colleague Luca Lionello, film director Paolo Consorti and producer Giuseppe Lepore. As the organizers of the festival explain, the story of the film takes viewers in a former dilapidated sausage factory in Roma converted by a group of free artists into an arts gallery. In the abandoned factory starts the preparation of an exhibition of contemporary art organized by the Maam gallery. The aim of the initiative is to protect homeless people living in it and threatened with eviction. The film has a "Bulgarian connection" - the costumes of the characters are created by young Bulgarian designer Ivan Donev.

"The work was very amusing because we were looking for a way to get closer to the place in which the film was set, and it is pretty special” says Ivan Donev. “We even resorted to recycling materials in order to achieve the desired effect. We decided that in order to convey a special spirit to these costumes it was very important to look for an alternative. They are not necessarily modern, as the film is set in different eras: the past, present and future. And we sought to shape a more natural look of things. Even actor Luca Lionello is dressed in the uniform of Roma FC. The use of natural materials such as linen was appropriate in order to give this movie a more earthly look. There are helmets as well. For example, the one of Angela is made of flowers. We chose lilies which area symbol of purity. We used it instead of feathers. There are also interesting effects in the make-up. I'd say we did a really good job."

What are Ivan Donev's current and future projects?

"The projects are related to haute couture and art, because for me art is also fashion, of course presented in another form. I am now working on a cultural project - to show Bulgarian folklore around the world. I try to create links with other countries where to present Bulgarian folklore, because it is an inspiration to me. I graduated from a music class with folk singing and folk dancing so it is part of my heart. Therefore I seek inspiration in all things Bulgarian. The projects are also secular as these are my events with haute couture. I am looking for ways to directly link the two things - culture and fashion in order to show people that even the way we dress is a dialogue, without having to talk. I will tell you that my fashion shows are always with Bulgarian folk music at the background, no matter where I am in the world. I think that the Bulgarian voice and Bulgarian music have their magic and power that works for many people. Small wonder then that world cinema uses our folklore."

And some biographical details of the talented Ivan Donev:

"I graduated high school in Plovdiv and immediately after that I went to Italy where I studied in the oldest Academy of haute couture in Rome - Koefia following which I did my master degree in fashion marketing. And a few months later I started receiving great offers from fashion photographers, organizers of weeks of haute couture - in Portugal, Turkey. I recently had a visit to Qatar, as my goal is to present the Bulgarian folklore with a project that is still under way. I would say that things luckily happen very quickly. And that makes me happy because I understand that people show confidence in my talent. "

Ivan Donev has already received a series of awards for his works. They have also appeared in numerous publications in prestigious journals.

English Rossitsa Petcova