Old Conception, New Perceptions. Representation of Socialist Reality in the Movie Zift (2008)

Abstract

This article reviews and analyzes the representations of the Bulgarian socialist past in the 2008 film of young Bulgarian director Yavor Gardev – Zift. Using symbolic theory to analyze representations of the old concept of socialism, it will prove that the film Zift offers an innovative approach, different from the representations offered by other films dealing with the same subject. The paper focuses on symbols of socialism (sots‐art), as well as techniques of neo‐noir and black comedy – a genre combination also new for Bulgarian cinematography. Controversies and mixtures of imagery are dealt with as proof that the film is a true representation of a modern generation’s idea of a communist past and its effect on the present. This article argues that Zift represents a mature and forward‐oriented approach that can only be afforded by a social group that has ceased to focus on the mistakes of the past and is instead concentrated on the future. Simultaneously, this also happens to be a generation to which the communist past is a rather distant memory, a bitter‐sweet recollection of social injustice and childhood nonchalance. As a result Zift conveys moods of cynicism and dark humor, but none of the regret and bitterness that are typical for other films dealing with the same subject.