Philip Trifonov Movies
- 1989
This grim Bulgarian drama explores the effects that the postwar Stalinist-led social reorganization of that country had upon the lives not only of those who suffered public denunciation, but upon those who were coerced into going along with those denunciations against their will, and especially upon the children. In the story, the schoolgirl Alexandra's father was a celebrated partisan who fought against the Nazis in World War Two. His prominence must have been considered a threat, because at the beginning of this film, he denounced and arrested. Not only that, but Alexandra (Monika Budjonova) has her cherished Young Pioneer (communist youth league) membership stripped from her. Her teachers have been forced to publicly humiliate her for being the daughter of an enemy of the state, and her friends, except for the inexplicably loyal Ivan (Kliment Corbadziev) have had to abandon her. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Trifonov
- 1981
A group of four musicians and their female lead singer are anxious to get a job in the resort area of the Black Sea for the crowded summer months, so they jump at the chance to play at the Golden Sands hotel when a local entrepreneur says he has it set up for them. But they can only go on the condition that the lead singer is replaced with the entrepreneur's girlfriend - not exactly a vocal rival by any means. Desperate for this opportunity, the four say yes and take off, only to find that their engagement is in a local bar and not the promised hotel. Meanwhile, they have problems of their own as one of them is after the new singer but gets nowhere, and the boyfriend of the preceding singer is depressed that she's not there. To make things decidedly worse, the new lead singer has a limited repertoire, to say the least, and in the end, opts for taking off with an Italian tourist who has promised her a better gig elsewhere. This does nothing for the job prospects of the band, but a lot for their experience in the ways of the fickle world. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Velko Kunev
- 1975
The principal of a state school fights troubles on two fronts as he begins a liaison with a free-thinking younger teacher. Not only is his adultery a scandal, but his advocacy of his new girlfriend's innovative teaching methods is also considered outrageous. Furthermore, the woman herself makes waves because she dresses in a provocative way. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Trifonov
- 1975
Chico (Ivan Grigorov) is a strong, charming lad, and a natural leader. He works as foreman of a gang of workers who are digging a new well for the town. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the gritty street-smarts to lie effectively. When the mayor questions him, he can't bring himself to say that he and the guys were playing cards when they should have been working. His crew dispatches him to allay the mayor's concerns that the work will ever get done, and he has a few amorous adventures along the way. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ivan Grigorov, Philip Trifonov, (more)
- 1972
This Bulgarian feature joins together two short films by two directors. Each section is based on a story by Nikolai Haitov. The first feature The Test, directed by Georgi Dyulgerov, tells the story of a turn-of-the-century apprentice barrel-maker who gets a commission to make his graduation piece. Under the apprentice system, a craftsman who makes a masterwork is someone who is considered to be a "master" and who has graduated from the system. The second feature, Bare Conscience, directed by Milen Nikolov, retells the story of the frustrating efforts of a forester to fight the local political corruption which threatens to destroy his forest through over-logging. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
