Famous Bulgarian journalist and director Milen Getov has recently received the Josef Herbst Award for overall contribution to journalism. The reason – he has been a devoted journalist for 70 years now. He says journalism selected him, not vice versa. That happened during WWII. Dozens of articles stand on his list, as many of his writings are dedicated to the history and contemporary life in Sofia. Furthermore: over 200 newsreels, some 1,000 TV documentaries, coverages, feature movies and series etc.He is currently working on a trilogy, reflecting the 20^th century, but also the new one. On December 5 Milen Getov turned 90.

You have witnessed three historical periods: the 3^rd Bulgarian Kingdom, the socialist era and the democratic period. What would you say on each?

“The question is a bit complicated, as usually a man perceives his youth as the best period in life. However, based on my assessment possibilities, I would say: the first period – the childhood and teenage years up to 9 September 1944. I view the Bulgarian Kingdom not as a political model, but in terms economics, relations, education and values of ethics. I see this as the best period. The socialist one had its good and bad sides, I shall say nothing on the current one…”

Why do you see it as something important to tell about all these three periods, to express your attitude towards them?

“It is important, because the young generation doesn’t know enough. I had the chance to travel around the 5 continents, to get to know the different societies. I think young people should know what is good and what is bad, without prejudices, as those are an obstacle for our development.”

What is it for you to receive that award?

“I see the Josef Herbst Award as a great honor, as I am well aware of his activities. Unfortunately, nowadays journalism is not at a very high level. I recall that before September 9 my father was really close to the editor-in-chief of the Utro newspaper. He told me that whenever a draft bill was coming from the council of ministers, all the editors-in-chief would gather with the prime minister, in order to discuss it and prepare it. Whenever delegations were sent abroad, those were accompanied by representatives of the major newspapers. I.e. journalism served as a landmark to the government. On the other hand a journalist could cover any story within a direct touch. I think this situation should be restored.”

You directed movies about spy Emil Boev, related to the ideology of socialism in the scripts. How do you see those now?

“Cinema was my second dream, besides journalism. I had never expected to make movies, but I was given that chance. The first script that I liked belonged to Bogomil Rainov – Brazilian Melody. We were total strangers. He asked me whether I had read it carefully. I said “yes”. Then he told me to proceed, but under the condition that I would not touch his text. He had returned a few years earlier from Paris and he told me that it was really important to him people to get an idea of the place, where the action took place. We did it as a TV theatre and they liked it. I liked actor Kosta Tsonev for the leading character. Then a whole series of spy movies followed. I was interested and curious, it wasn’t about money. We worked in the form of TV theatre, worth EUR 10 – 15,000, while a movie had a budget of EUR 300 – 350,000. Just picture how we worked.”

What is the difference with James Bond?

“I had traveled abroad and watched Bond movies. We had the Russian spy movies here, but not Bulgarian ones. Furthermore, the second episode of James Bond, filmed in Istanbul showed a really humiliating story, regarding the Bulgarian intelligence – our agent just hid in a most peasant manner and was captured. I felt insulted. The character of Bogomil Rainov was an intellectual, like Sherlock Holmes – no gunfights, car chases, blasts etc. I liked that.”

We will end up with the information that Milen Getov is a heir of the famous Renaissance Parlichevi family.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev