Triumph

With freedom still a new concept after the fall of communism in the 1990s, a Bulgarian task force of high-ranking military officials is charged by the ailing General Zlatev (Ivan Savov) and his personal psychic Pirina (Margita Gosheva) with a classified mission. The head of the Army’s Science Department, Colonel Platnikov (Julian Vergov), tasked as leader (despite his reasonable objections) is, due to unforeseen circumstances, accompanied by his precocious daughter Slava (Maria Bakalova). As picks and shovels pierce the ground, Pirina declares Slava a powerful “signal conductor,” able to communicate with an alien who is guiding the team in unearthing a powerful artifact that will change the future of humanity. It soon becomes clear the expedition will not reveal a powerful cosmic relic (nor a space capsule or a fountain of youth), but perhaps something else much more realistic — and previously completely unknown — will be unearthed.

This latest work from co-directors Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, combined with their previous films The Lesson (TIFF ’14) and Glory (2016), forms a trilogy inspired by sensationalist news stories from their homeland that prove once and for all that truth is stranger than fiction. Triumph, absurd as it seems, is based on true events (yes, really!). While exploring the legacy of communism and the confusing and turbulent transition to democracy, Triumph also provides a poignant reflection on the present, where nationalist grandiose desires and military madness continues to reverberate worldwide.

DOROTA LECH