When it comes to cinema as an art, the origin of the film should not bring any merits. However, this is exactly the case with virtually all Bulgarian movies that come up in recent years. The limited release of most new age Bulgarian films is not only the main reason for their unrealistic and ridiculously high scores predominantly given by Bulgarian viewers, but is also a proof of their low artistic and technical value given the general lack of foreign opinions and public.
Eastern Plays is by no means an exception. The main trait dooming this flick to mediocrity is its basic framework, which is a story of human decadence. Nothing new, nothing original. We have seen similar plots with similar characters in similar environments dozens of times in many earlier Eastern European films, and Eastern Plays is a typical example of Bulgaria's tardive pseudo-Renaissance in the domain of cinema.
A vague plot which attempts (and fails) to convince the viewer of an inner, deeper meaning and message, basically non-existing acting, poor dialogue and unimpressive and grim scenery are only a few of this pic's unremarkable components. Some point out "realism" as the strongest side of this film - it might be, but this is not an exciting realism. There is nothing inspiring nor touching in this bland and at times frankly repulsive mix of clichés, social sets and urban decay.
The sole value of this film would be that of a counterexample on how to make cinema. By all means, skip it - not worth the time.
Eastern Plays is by no means an exception. The main trait dooming this flick to mediocrity is its basic framework, which is a story of human decadence. Nothing new, nothing original. We have seen similar plots with similar characters in similar environments dozens of times in many earlier Eastern European films, and Eastern Plays is a typical example of Bulgaria's tardive pseudo-Renaissance in the domain of cinema.
A vague plot which attempts (and fails) to convince the viewer of an inner, deeper meaning and message, basically non-existing acting, poor dialogue and unimpressive and grim scenery are only a few of this pic's unremarkable components. Some point out "realism" as the strongest side of this film - it might be, but this is not an exciting realism. There is nothing inspiring nor touching in this bland and at times frankly repulsive mix of clichés, social sets and urban decay.
The sole value of this film would be that of a counterexample on how to make cinema. By all means, skip it - not worth the time.