Silent Observers
Documentary / 95 min / 2024
In a remote Bulgarian mountain village, six animals with hidden secrets reveal the darker side of human superstitions and fears. Matsa, the cat is believed to be a vampire, Kirka, the donkey supposedly holds the soul of a village woman's son, and Mila, the dog is accused of killing the chickens. While the human inhabitants face their perils in the background, SILENT OBSERVERS sticks to the perspective of the animals. In a sensitive observation, we experience a village's fading hopes through the eyes of its four-legged residents.
Team
Writer & Director: Eliza Petkova
DoP: Constanze Schmitt
Sound: Hannes Marget
Producers: Karoline Henkel, Jasper Mielke, Arto Sebastian, Veselka Kiryakova
Commission Editors: Rolf Bergmann (RBB), Dagmar Mielke (arte)
Info
Genre: Documentary
Production: Red Carpet Ltd. (Bulgaria), Wood Water Films (Germany)
Channel: rbb/arte
Funded by: Eurimage, National Film Board Bulgaria
Year of production: 2024
World Premiere: November 16th 2024, IDFA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
German Premiere: May 11th 2025, 40th DOK.fest Munich
Awards:
National Film Festival “Vasil Gendov” 2025- Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers Awards
Best Documentary Feature
Best Director
Best Original Music
DOK.Fest Munich
Best Documentary
Sofia International Film Festival
Special Mention - “a haunting and unforgettable experience for the audience”
