05-11-2008

Cinemania 2008 brings big titles to Sofia

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    The 22nd Cinemania World Film Panorama kicks off November 7 in Sofia with Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones film Shine a Light.

    According to Emi Azarian, head of the programming in the National Palace of Culture, "Because of the strong public demand this year Cinemania will last longer, over a month." Supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Sofia Municipality the Panorama presents 90 films from all over the world. "We have some restricted rights in showing some of the films, but nevertheless we expect a total box office of 70,000 euros, the average ticket price being 4 euros. One of the most awaited titles is the newest Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading.

    Bigger drawing films will be screened at the 4,000-seat National Palace of Culture Hall, such as Cannes winner ‘Entre les murs' by Laurent Cantet and the ‘Golden Lion' winner ‘The Wrestler' by Darren Aronofsky. Four additional prestigeous halls will screeb political titles including Italy's Gomorra by Matteo Garrone (Grand Prix in Cannes) and Oliver Stone's Fidel Castro film Comandante.

    2008 being the Year of Russia in Bulgaria motivated the organisers to include 10 new Russian hits, among which the blockbuster The Apocalypses Code by Vadim Shmeliov.

    Bulgarian titles include Come fue - Cuban Bolero for lardanka, See you at the Eiffel Tower by Valentin Valchev, and Andrei Slavakov's absurdist comedy, Hindemith.