One of the most ambitious Bulgarian productions in recent years, Heights is an adaptation of Milen Ruskov’s novel of the same name, published in 2011. The €1.35 million project explores the Bulgarian realities of the 1870s, a few years before the war that would liberate the country from the Ottoman occupation. Produced by Serpentine Ltd, Heights is the first fiction feature by Victor Bojinov , known locally for several successful TV series. 

The story has been adapted by Neli Dimitrova ( ``Love.Net ``) and follows Gicho, a young man in the revolutionary group of Dimitar Obshti, a real-life revolutionary fighting against the Turks. After the successful robbery of a Turkish train, Obshti entrusts Gicho with a special mission: to hand a letter to Vasil Levski, the country’s most famous revolutionary, now considered Bulgaria’s national hero and dubbed The Apostle of Freedom. Accompanied by his friend Assencho, Gicho sets out on an adventurous journey, desperate to free his country.

The project was supported by the Bulgarian National Film Center  to the tune of €560,000. In December 2015, it also received funding from Eurimages . Described as a comedy-drama, Heights “shines a sharp, realistic light on the attitudes and psyche of ordinary Bulgarians” in the second half of the 19^th century, according to information made public about the film.

The domestic release is expected in 2017.

source:cineuropa.org