Zift (2008)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The film starts with Lev (Moth) in prison for murder. Lel is released from prison but immediately falls into the hands of some uniformed men who want to know the location of a diamond that Moth supposedly stole.The name "Zift" apparently comes from an Arabic word meaning asphalt that was once a popular chewing-gum like substance in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Zift is a love story mixed with murder and betrayal, in all I have to say that Zift is a strong entry into the noir genre.Highly recommended for the fans of black comedy and drama.

It didn't have an Oscar nomination(for the best foreign language award) this year, still Zift is a crowning and epoch making epic movie for Bulgaria and Eastern/North-Eastern Europe. Hence, in the years ahead this movie will be mentioned often for its contemporary style, modern cinema language and creative editing.Centering on a criminal, nicknamed as "Moth", the story is taken from a novel and is adapted to screenplay from its own novelist. Director Javor Gardev features Moth being a self-respecting and chivalrous Bulgarian, reflecting the character of his country under Communism. As such from the literary perspective, personification has applied to Bulgaria. Despite all of his relatives and friends leaving him alone, and his wife wounding his pride; he has never held his head down.Not only the past of his country, the writer also reflects the present and the future of Bulgaria within the same literary perspective in a dark utopia, or a neo-noir(film-noir). The screenplay of Zift is very focused and detail-oriented on a simple storyline. The concept of the whole storyline is the sum of Moth's escape to freedom, his short-term memories, the stories he heard from his friends, how he is losing his last hope and how he dies. There we can realize obviously that the main purpose of the movie is not to tell, but is to impress. Director Gardev leaked impacts from Fellini's, Emir Kusturica's and Danny Boyle's cinematic methods. On the other hand, I don't include Frank Miller in this list; since Sin City and Zift has nothing in common but the cinematography. On the level of artistic value, Zift has more value than its comparisons.Even though it's resembling several industrial box-office hits, the screenplay is truly original; considering that a novel writer has prepared the whole script from his own adaptation, you will see the total commitment of creating this epic by the production crew. There are scenes of violence, nudity, sexuality, perversity, immorality and enormity. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. It's only suitable for mature viewers and minor groups.

It was a damn month where everybody in Bulgaria were saying "hey, did you watch Zift?! It's an awesome movie and it's great and it's the best BG movie ever!". Well, at last I decided to go and see it, although I had my hope in the BG cinematography long lost. I entered the ugly theater and took my good place in the middle. And damn it, the trailer says it all - "Pineapple peels and sh*ts". That's the best thing in this movie. A banal screenplay, incredibly bad acting, phrases that make you wanna kick someone's head and again this damn post-communist element. You know, all the Bulgarian movies have it.So better go and watch some stupid low-budget Hollywood movie instead of this crap. At least you could see some better acting and more than 2 colors. Yeah, black & white is banal, especially when it's used without a specific reason. It might be a really nice effect (see "Pi") and it might annoy you so much that you just decide to leave the damn theater half an hour before the predictable end.Again, about the acting. Yes, it's bad. Yes, most of the actors had never played before. And yes, I can see that clearly.And hell yes, I paid $2 for that crap but I wouldn't even give 2 stotinki (around 1 cent) to watch this wannabe-a-good-Bulgarian-movie. Although some Bulgarian pseudo-patriots (this means almost all Bulgarians) might like it.In the end, the good thing. Congratulations to the director - very good and professional job! Unfortunately the good directing is not equal to a good movie.

I saw the trailer first and thought it's great but it surely wasn't the reason took me to the cinema.I know Yavor Gardev is absolutely brilliant theater director and just couldn't wait to see his film debut. I like the movie is black and white, it's different from the usual American commercial rubbish. I love to see Snezhina Petrova even in that small bit, she is incredible...just adore her way of expression! I think Zahary Baharov is the right choice for the leading role, I was impressed by his voice-very emotional and touching. Have to admit I didn't understand some parts of the movie 'cause it's just full with a lot of symbols, difficult to catch all of them. The film is not perfect but it's a sign someone is trying to create something really good and competitive.I go to the cinema once in a blue moon but this time I went to see Zift for a special reason- to support the Bulgarian cinematography. And I'd like to do it again....sure I will and expecting a new film from Yavor Gardev /I'm really proud with his success in Russia/.Regards :)