Филмът победител в Кан: Заснемането в Маточина

The boundaries between cinema and reality blur in “Dream Adventure,” a production that transforms the landscapes of Southwest Bulgaria into a central character. Directed by German filmmaker Valeska Grisebach, the film immerses viewers in the journey of Veska, an archaeologist who unearths the past while confronting her own moral boundaries, unspoken emotions, and old dependencies.

A Collaborative European Vision

The project emerged from a partnership between Valeska Grisebach and producer and casting director Margarita Kudrina, who began collaborating in 2019. The development process involved extensive research and dialogue across Germany and Bulgaria, with intensive fieldwork along the southern border following the Covid pandemic.

Kudrina describes the result as a “European film,” arguing that its authenticity transcends national labels. The production sought to capture a complex societal portrait, integrating various ethnicities and personal life experiences into the narrative.

Did You Know? The production team spent six months researching locations and conducting casting, eventually filming for 47 days in the Svilengrad region.

Authenticity Through “Street Casting”

To achieve a raw, genuine feel, Grisebach utilized “street casting,” selecting non-professional actors from the local population. Some characters were even written into the script specifically to accommodate the unique life experiences and personalities of the people the team encountered during their research.

According to Kudrina, these individuals did not simply play themselves but brought a deep, soulful acting quality derived from their own lived realities. This approach allowed the film to represent the complexity of the local society through faces that carried authentic history.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that by blending a German directorial lens with Bulgarian non-professional talent, the production creates a symbiotic cultural exchange. This method shifts the film from a mere story to a sociological document, highlighting the shared European phenomenon of rural depopulation.

The Magic and Melancholy of Matochina

The film was captured in the village of Matochina, near Svilengrad, featuring the Bukelon fortress. Despite being a “magical” location that captivated the foreign crew, Matochina reflects a somber reality: it is a depopulated village with only about ten remaining residents.

Valeska Grisebach premieres 'The Dreamed Adventure' in competition at Cannes Film Festival

The shooting process was marked by challenging yet humorous moments, including a scene where set designers had to herd a flock of cows up a steep, bare hill in intense heat. The sequence required the animals to wander into the archaeological site where the protagonist was working, before being chased back out.

Potential Future Impacts

The success of this immersive approach could lead to a rise in similar European co-productions that prioritize non-professional casting to achieve hyper-realism. The film’s focus on Matochina may draw broader cinematic attention to the socio-economic challenges of depopulation across the European continent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was “Dream Adventure” filmed?

The film was shot in Southwest Bulgaria, specifically in the village of Matochina near Svilengrad, and featured the Bukelon fortress.

Who are the actors in the film?

The production primarily used non-professional actors from the local region, selected through a process of street casting and extensive research.

What is the central plot of the movie?

The story follows Veska, an archaeologist who explores the past while dealing with her own internal struggles, including moral boundaries and old dependencies.

Do you believe that using non-professional actors enhances the authenticity of a film more than using trained professionals?