This is an average attempt at creating a serious movie. All due respect for the efforts of the staff and cast and directors, but the result differed my expectations.
First is the plot. Isn't it out of date to aim for hilarious by overexposing Bulgarian (supposedly) flaws in a movie, especially in such a simple way? It is a mere continuation of national characteristics to brag and complain nonstop about our flaws, what "the state" and the "politicians" can't and do not do for us, etc. etc. These 'national characteristics' our outdated, and belong better to the 90s.
Second is the lack of focus. One of the other reviewers rightfully note a 'lack of gender', and 'chaotic'. For me it was a "hotchpotch" of too many different stories attempted in the same movie: - Politic satire of the over-stretching wife of the president and her pawns - Bulgarian habits applied in a foreign country - blackmarket buy/sell/drink/swear in the embassy - A banal reference to other immigrant communities - Russians, Jews. - A romance between 'excellency' and his 'failed student/cleaning lady/stripper/actress wannabe' - such clichés - Absurd scenarios around which the entire plot is spinning - ducks etc. - Unnecessary scenes as the dance show in front of the 'queen' and the fireworks and predictable fire - Other sub-stories intermixing and giving the taste of a "mandzha s grozde" to feeling you get from the movie
Third - execution: One would expect a much better execution in all aspects of a movie with a budget of around 3Mil. The acting was sufficient, but mostly among the British actors. Alan Ford has created such an image in his Guy Ritchie movies, that the role of an 'agency executive' is kind of soft for his strong presence and characters. The Bulgarian actors in general have proved again they are suitable for theater, but not movies - they exaggerate too much in their acting, creating live cartoon characters. That especially goes for the ladies, Papadopolu and Shinova. Slight exceptions are Vergov and Krustev, and the only actor from the old generation, Mr. Peev. Unfortunately, Bulgaria has not produced any good TV and Movie actors for about two decades now.
Besides acting, shooting and cinematography are on an acceptable level, but nothing extraordinary. It is a good start to not have 'annoying' shots or camera movement. Some minor editing goofs, e.g. one of the early scenes had an unsynchronized video/sound.
Fourth is a controversial topic of 'product placement' and financing of Bulgarian cinema. Although I am an ardent supporter of any Bulgarian movies made, and I really want to see the real comeback of Bulgarian cinema with 10 movies/year, I cannot accept such a blunt financing of movies, which requires the entire script adopted to fit character lines such as "what is better than KFC at midnight" or sth. Movie posters are presenting "Zagorka" playing the major part in the movie; the 'duty-free' shop was full of "Peshterska" etc etc. This is a 'silent' rape of viewers, forcing them to watch commercial ad spots, and having them pay for that.
Finally, I did not like the entire message of the movie, underlined for dummies at the end of the movie in the completely obsolete scenes of '1/2 years later' – "this is Bulgarian, hahahaha". Cheap humor, based on old stereotypes, guys Give us something new and entertaining, at last!
First is the plot. Isn't it out of date to aim for hilarious by overexposing Bulgarian (supposedly) flaws in a movie, especially in such a simple way? It is a mere continuation of national characteristics to brag and complain nonstop about our flaws, what "the state" and the "politicians" can't and do not do for us, etc. etc. These 'national characteristics' our outdated, and belong better to the 90s.
Second is the lack of focus. One of the other reviewers rightfully note a 'lack of gender', and 'chaotic'. For me it was a "hotchpotch" of too many different stories attempted in the same movie: - Politic satire of the over-stretching wife of the president and her pawns - Bulgarian habits applied in a foreign country - blackmarket buy/sell/drink/swear in the embassy - A banal reference to other immigrant communities - Russians, Jews. - A romance between 'excellency' and his 'failed student/cleaning lady/stripper/actress wannabe' - such clichés - Absurd scenarios around which the entire plot is spinning - ducks etc. - Unnecessary scenes as the dance show in front of the 'queen' and the fireworks and predictable fire - Other sub-stories intermixing and giving the taste of a "mandzha s grozde" to feeling you get from the movie
Third - execution: One would expect a much better execution in all aspects of a movie with a budget of around 3Mil. The acting was sufficient, but mostly among the British actors. Alan Ford has created such an image in his Guy Ritchie movies, that the role of an 'agency executive' is kind of soft for his strong presence and characters. The Bulgarian actors in general have proved again they are suitable for theater, but not movies - they exaggerate too much in their acting, creating live cartoon characters. That especially goes for the ladies, Papadopolu and Shinova. Slight exceptions are Vergov and Krustev, and the only actor from the old generation, Mr. Peev. Unfortunately, Bulgaria has not produced any good TV and Movie actors for about two decades now.
Besides acting, shooting and cinematography are on an acceptable level, but nothing extraordinary. It is a good start to not have 'annoying' shots or camera movement. Some minor editing goofs, e.g. one of the early scenes had an unsynchronized video/sound.
Fourth is a controversial topic of 'product placement' and financing of Bulgarian cinema. Although I am an ardent supporter of any Bulgarian movies made, and I really want to see the real comeback of Bulgarian cinema with 10 movies/year, I cannot accept such a blunt financing of movies, which requires the entire script adopted to fit character lines such as "what is better than KFC at midnight" or sth. Movie posters are presenting "Zagorka" playing the major part in the movie; the 'duty-free' shop was full of "Peshterska" etc etc. This is a 'silent' rape of viewers, forcing them to watch commercial ad spots, and having them pay for that.
Finally, I did not like the entire message of the movie, underlined for dummies at the end of the movie in the completely obsolete scenes of '1/2 years later' – "this is Bulgarian, hahahaha". Cheap humor, based on old stereotypes, guys Give us something new and entertaining, at last!