The European Film Festival

Svetat e golyam i spasenie debne otvsyakade
The World Is Big and Salvation Lurks around the Corner

The European Film Festival in Jakarta has begun and I started today with the Bulgarian film, The World Is Big and Salvation Lurks around the Corner directed by Stephan Komandarev. Adapted from a book by Ilija Trojanow, the film is about a young man who loses his memory after a car accident and his grandfather who tries to cure him. His grandfather takes him on a wonderful journey riding a tandem bike and gradually he starts remembering who he is, his family, his childhood of escaping from Bulgaria and their struggles in seeking asylum. I thought the story was light hearted, simple and humorous with an emotional historic aspect that tied it all together.

Although I didn't understand a word without reading the subtitles, the acting felt effortless with their mix of emotions, expressions and vocal tones. It always amazes me when the characters feel so real you start having an imaginary relationship towards them. In this film I started wishing that one day I can meet the grandfather to learn a thing or two. His philosophies in life spoken through the game of backgammon was quite uplifting.

- Dice is just chance
- Chance?
- Yes
- Where is that chance?
- You've got the dice in your hand, don't you? What flick and spin you give them what angle...
...
- Look around there's always an opening.
- Whatever I throw is useless
- If the situation looks hopeless, just change your tactics
- How?
- You take a risk, make your move and hope for the best.

I am no movie expert but I enjoyed how the camera work was simple and not overdone, yet was still able to capture the gorgeous scenes throughout their travels. The movie immediately gave me a thirst to go backpacking around Europe without even packing...probably not on a bike the entire way though :)

"Destiny is the dice in your hand. And what happens after that depends on your luck and skill." It's your throw, master!