Svetat e golyam i spasenie debne otvsyakade (The World is Big and Salvation lurks around the Corner)
Director: Stephan Komandarev
Starring: Miki Manojlovic, Carlo Ljubek, Hristo Mutafchiev, Ana Papadopulu, Lyudmila Cheshmedzhieva, Blagovest Mutafchiev, Nikolai Urumov
Country: Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia
Year: 2008
Length: 1h45
Original language: Bulgarian
Synopsis
The World is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner is the story of Alex, who, with the help of his charismatic grandfather, Bai Dan, embarks on a journey with tandem and backgammon in search of his real self. Bulgaria, 1980. Clouds are gathering over Alex's serene childhood in the idyllic Socialist society of a provincial town. His father, Vasko, gets himself into trouble with the regime. The militia want him to spy on Alex's grandfather, Bai Dan. He is the undisputed King of the dice, and in the cafe frequented by backgammon players he publicly tells biting political jokes. Vasko refuses. He, his wife Yana, and the young Alex emigrate to Germany. However, the family breaks up there. Germany, 2006. Alex and his parents, now older, are together again for the first time, on their way to Bulgaria. In the small provincial town, Bai Dan and his wife are feverishly preparing for their arrival. But they have an accident on the road: Yana and Vasko are dead, Alex ends up in hospital. Bai Dan goes off to Germany. Alex does not recognise his grandfather because he is now suffering from amnesia as a result of the accident. The medical team rate his chances of getting better as minimal. Bai Dan teaches his grandson backgammon. The ancient game restores Alex to life. Bai Dan drags Alex out of hospital and they set off on the road. On this journey back to Bulgaria, which is also a journey back to the past, Alex gets his memory back, and with it, the will to live.