kræser Review of Otkradnati ochi

Otkradnati ochi (2005)

First Bulgarian film to deal with ethnic cleansing on the Turkish minority

[2 June 2006]

At the Beginning of 1980 the Bulgarian Communist Party begins to rigorously pursue a policy of ethnic cleansing on the Turkish minority. It is the first Bulgarian feature film to deal with this dark chapter in the country's history. The mass expulsion of a minority which took place in a European country in 1989 remains largely unknown up until today. To ensure that this no longer remains the case and that now audiences can look upon history in the face is the merit of Radoslav Spassov, who both convinced and deeply moved me with his this film. Two outstanding lead actors contribute to the success of the film. It received a Special mention from the IFFS (International Federation of Film Societies) jury on the 15th FilmFestival in Cottbus/ Germany – Festival of East European Cinema in November 2005.