From November 12 through the 29, fans of the Seventh Art in Sofia will have the opportunity to see a wide selection of cinematic works at the 29th edition of the Autumn Film Marathon Cinemania. More in an interview for Radio Bulgaria with Vladimir Trifonov making up the festival program:

"The Cinemania Festival was born in 1987, created by the then State Union Bulgarian Cinematography, which oversaw the entire film process. It was an event which for many years all spectators eagerly expected because it managed to show many new, hot movies. After the democratic changes in this country when the film market was liberalized and was led mainly by private companies, Cinemania went through several critical years. In the last 10-15 years we try to develop it so as to show new movies exclusively, of course, only good movies. One priority is the development of film culture with the presentation of selected classic and documentary films related to the history of cinema."

The selection of awarded titles will include works from this year's international film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice and others. The program also includes the new Bulgarian film Karatsi (Losers) directed by Ivaylo Hristov. Recently the title won the Grand Prize at the prestigious International Film Festival in Moscow. The film tells of a group of young people in a small provincial town - losers, but with enough zeal to succeed. At the Varna Festival "Love is Folly" which closed recently this movie grabbed two more prizes. Surely the Cinemania playbill will also include the documentary The Smile of Bulgarian Cinema of deceased director Ivan Georgiev-Getz.

A highlight in the festival program is a theatrical performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet, but in a film version. The role of the Danish prince will be played by the talented British actor Benedict Cumberbatch. "All the reviews we read about him are extremely laudatory, not just because he is an amazing actor, but because he portrays a completely new, modern type Hamlet," says Lyubov Kostova, director of the British Council in Bulgaria. Hamlet's screening will put the start of a huge program to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare - a global cultural event of 2016. It includes educational, film and dance events throughout the year.

Another highlight of the Cinemania Festival is the film Roger Waters - The Wall. According to Miroslav Borshosh, director of the National Palace of Culture - a place associated for years with the festival, both titles are impressive:

"I hope in this way to show not only that we seek a mass audience, but also the fine high-quality cinema that people need," he says. “We have selected a lot of high-quality films. We are waiting now to see the Venice Film Festival, as there will be premieres ahead and want to see and assess whether some new films will be suitable for Cinemania.”

Also in November the National Palace of Culture will organize Days of Bulgarian cinema in Paris.

English: Rossitsa Petcova