Advantage - АВАНТАЖ

• NTSC   $6.95

Drama, 1977, Color, 138 min., Language - Bulgarian
Also Known As: Avantazh

Directed by: Georgi Djulgerov
Written by: Roussy Chanev and Georgi Djulgerov
Director of Photography: Radoslav Spassov
Production Designer: Roussy Dundakov & Georgi Todorov
Music: Bojidar Petkov

Cast: Roussy Chanev, Maria Statoulova, Plamena Getova, Plamen Donchev, Dimitar  Ganev, Radosveta Vassileva, Veliyo Goranov, Stefan Popov, Diana Chelebieva

Synopsis: ADVANTAGE recounts episodes in the life of a master pickpocket, nicknamed "Rooster," who abides by his own marginal moral code while trying to find a role in legitimate society. Dyulgerov conducted interviews with police and petty criminals to research the legendary character on which the film's protagonist is based; the resulting portrait of a free and fearless spirit in Stalinist Bulgaria is grounded and colorful, distinguished by its stylistically bold and improvisational structure. "ADVANTAGE places Dyulgerov within the circle of East Europe's talent to watch by virtue of the theme alone... a remarkable review of the fifties when the country was going through its birth pains as a Socialist state" (Variety). "Dyulgerov's compassionate, humanistic approach to the fate of a con man... is unique in Bulgarian cinema" (Ronald Holloway).

Winner of the Silver Bear for best director at the Berlin Film Festival in 1978, ADVANTAGE was one of several critically recognized films that announced a creative revolution in Bulgarian filmmaking. In part a compelling historical chronicle that covers the country's politically formative years in the fifties.

Awards: Silver Bear, Berlin, 1978; Golden Laceno (Best Director and Best Actress), Avelino,  Italy, 1979