Get ready for a gripping and shocking ride with the pitch-black German-Bulgarian co-production, “Blaga’s Lessons.” This social-realist drama recently won the Grand Prix in the Crystal Globe Competition at Karlovy Vary, solidifying its place in the arthouse circuit. But be warned, this film packs a punch reminiscent of Lars von Trier or Michael Haneke in their provocative prime.
The story revolves around Blaga, a widow grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Hristo. Blaga plans to buy a plot of land to bury him, but Bulgarian law forbids her from substituting a cross for a red star. Determined to honor her husband’s beliefs, she compromises and agrees to a black gravestone. However, she must come up with 2,000 Bulgarian lev ($1,150) to make the purchase.
What follows is a tense and tightly choreographed sequence of events that unfold within the confines of Blaga’s drab apartment. A man claiming to be Inspector Kolev calls, extracting personal information from the vulnerable old woman. He warns her that she’s being targeted by violent thieves and instructs her to put all her savings in a plastic bag and drop it from her balcony. Terrified, Blaga follows his orders, believing the police will apprehend the criminals.
But there is no police backup, and Blaga falls victim to an elaborate scam. She feels the weight of public humiliation and faces the harsh reality of her situation. Desperate to raise the money for her husband’s grave, she discovers that the culprits operate in nearby Romania. With the help of one of her students, she decides to join them, offering her services as a driver with “flexible hours.”
This scenario could have been a source of comedy, but director Stephan Komandarev chooses to explore the depths of humanity instead. The camera studies Blaga like an anthropologist, capturing her character traits that will have profound consequences. Eli Skorcheva delivers a powerful performance as Blaga, deserving of her Best Actress award at Karlovy Vary.
The title itself, “Blaga’s Lessons,” is a play on words as Blaga coaches a Syrian refugee in her quest to become a Bulgarian citizen. But it is Blaga who learns valuable lessons along the way, some of them not so constructive. Komandarev doesn’t pass judgment, allowing the intense climax to speak for itself. As viewers, we are left contemplating who has truly learned what and from whom.
Don’t miss “Blaga’s Lessons,” a thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning the boundaries of morality and the lengths we go to honor our loved ones.
