The story written by Petrova revolves around the moral downfall of a nurse living in a poor Bulgarian town. Looking after elderly patients with dementia she is involved in the criminal traffic of their ID cards.
„My main character, a woman forced to struggle for her survival, is living in a social environment, where abuse and humiliation are legitimate means to power. Godless depicts a world where cruelty and criminality win, where you get away with murder without any consequence, and a possibility for hope can only emerge when all is lost, beyond a godless reality”, Petrova told the Bulgarian media.
Most of the cast is composed of non-professional actors chosen among the residents of a poor mountain region around the town of Vratsa. The main characters are played by Irena Ivanova, Ventsislav Konstantinov and Ivan Nalbantov. The film was shot in February-April 2015.
Bulgaria’s Klas Film is producing in coproduction with Denmark's SnowGlobe and the financial participation of France’s Alcatraz Films and Film Factory with a budget of nearly 1 m EUR. The film was supported by the Bulgarian National Film Center, the Danish Film Institute and Eurimages. The project also received an important production award in the Framework programme of the Torino Film Lab and also the Cinelink Work in Progress Restart Award.
Previously Ralitza Petrova directed the critically acclaimed shorts By the Grace of God (2009) and Rotten Apples (2007).
Production Information:
Klas Film
10, Tsar Assen str
Sofia – 1000
Bulgaria
+ 359 2 9815343/44
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Credits:
Director: Ralitza Petrova
Scriptwriter: Ralitza Petrova
DoP: Krum Rodriguez and Chayse Irvin
Production designer: Vanina Geleva
Costumes designer: Vanina Geleva
Sound: Momchil Bozhkov
Editing: Donka Ivanova
Cast: Irena Ivanova, Ventsislav Konstantinov, Ivan Nalbantov, Alexander Triffonov