Plague is a 2023 Bulgarian drama film directed by Ivan Vladimirov and written by Boyan Biolchev. The film premiered in Bulgaria on January 19, 2024.
The action takes place at the beginning of the 19th century, inspired by the story "„Through the plague“" on Yordan Yovkov. Chorbadji Yordan and his son Yono return from a hajj (a pilgrimage to holy places) and find that the plague has devastated the villages - people are hungry, scared, living in fear, locked in their homes. When Yono shows symptoms, the tension escalates - the disease begins to reveal both the good and the evil among people, love and betrayal, faith and fear become a mirror of human nature.
The movie "„Plague“" is not just a historical account of an epidemic — it uses the plague as a metaphor for social and moral collapse, for how primal human instincts rise above natural fear. The pace and visual atmosphere of the village, the use of sets and restored houses in the village of Kamenitsa lend authenticity and quiet horror. The musical score — including songs from folklore albums arranged especially for the film — contributes to a sense of a time that is both past and painfully close.
The audience at the premiere showed great interest — the film was distributed widely, in 69 cinemas in Bulgaria, and in the first days alone it was watched by over 5,400 viewers. Some reviews note that the film is heavy, dark and not always comfortable to watch — especially the scenes of fear, hunger and moral dilemmas, but this is precisely what makes it impactful.
„Plague“" is a significant film that shows that Bulgarian cinema can deal with heavy themes — historical, moral, human — without avoiding the truth about fear and weakness. It is a film that holds attention not only with visual power, but also with human stories that feel authentic. For anyone who wants not just entertainment, but an experience, "„Plague“" is a title that leaves an impression.
