Zift (2008) Poster

(2008)

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7/10
High on Literary and Artistic Value, but low on Visual and Thematic Value
CihanVercan13 May 2009
It didn't have an Oscar nomination(for the best foreign language award) this year, still Zift is a crowning and epoch making epic movie for Bulgaria and Eastern/North-Eastern Europe. Hence, in the years ahead this movie will be mentioned often for its contemporary style, modern cinema language and creative editing.

Centering on a criminal, nicknamed as "Moth", the story is taken from a novel and is adapted to screenplay from its own novelist. Director Javor Gardev features Moth being a self-respecting and chivalrous Bulgarian, reflecting the character of his country under Communism. As such from the literary perspective, personification has applied to Bulgaria. Despite all of his relatives and friends leaving him alone, and his wife wounding his pride; he has never held his head down.

Not only the past of his country, the writer also reflects the present and the future of Bulgaria within the same literary perspective in a dark utopia, or a neo-noir(film-noir). The screenplay of Zift is very focused and detail-oriented on a simple storyline. The concept of the whole storyline is the sum of Moth's escape to freedom, his short-term memories, the stories he heard from his friends, how he is losing his last hope and how he dies. There we can realize obviously that the main purpose of the movie is not to tell, but is to impress. Director Gardev leaked impacts from Fellini's, Emir Kusturica's and Danny Boyle's cinematic methods. On the other hand, I don't include Frank Miller in this list; since Sin City and Zift has nothing in common but the cinematography. On the level of artistic value, Zift has more value than its comparisons.

Even though it's resembling several industrial box-office hits, the screenplay is truly original; considering that a novel writer has prepared the whole script from his own adaptation, you will see the total commitment of creating this epic by the production crew. There are scenes of violence, nudity, sexuality, perversity, immorality and enormity. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. It's only suitable for mature viewers and minor groups.
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8/10
Being dangerous keeps you safe.
lastliberal19 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The opening of the film is hilarious. A man finds out his wife is cheating on him and he uses the septic truck he operates, loaded with three tons of waste, to get even. I don't know what it has to do with the story, but it was funny. There were a lot of funny stories throughout the film.

The film moves from there to a prison where Moth (Zahary Baharov) is about to be released after serving time for a crime he did not commit. He enters a world he doesn't know as the Communists are now in power.

The film is brilliant in a sharp black and white, which is perfect as it is neo-noir. At the same time, it is a Socialist Art (Sots Art) film, which parodies the Soviet Realism with reverential depictions of workers, peasants living happily in their communes. The shower scene in the prison was particularly funny.

It was confusing when he is released from prison and ends up in another one immediately, but in flashbacks we see Moth with his wife Ada (Tanya Ilieva) and partner-in-crime Slug (Vladimir Penev), who is now an official in the new prison, and is looking for a diamond they stole years earlier.

He escapes, but not before he is poisoned. He manages to find Ada before he is to die. Things get a little surreal, and weird from here, but they go after the diamond. What happens next was satisfying and sad.

There were other great performances: Mihail Mutafov as Van Wurst-the Eye and Djoko Rosic as the priest.
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7/10
The Best Bulgarian film ever in terms of professionalism
Shark_Attacks30 January 2009
I must say I am not a fan of Bulgarian cinema even though I am a Bulgarian myself. All the films I have seen until this point were very disappointing and could only be compared between themselves because films outside Bulgaria had always stood above in terms of cinematography, acting,Direction, Budget etc. Of course many would say this is not true, films during socialism period were many more and much better in terms of quality. While this is true that certainly does not make them foreign standard. The acting is more like theatrical than cinematic and the picture quality has more white spots on it than mount Everest, not to even mention the Sound. Cinema after 1990s had not improved much.

I do not remember when I heard about Zift, I think I found it on IMDb, so I decided to check out the Trailer. I was blown away, for the first time in my life I was so excited about seeing a Bulgarian film. Yes It did took me a while since I live in the UK but I did saw it yesterday.After seeing it I felt depressed and had mixed feelings about it.I am going to analyse the film in positives and negatives.

Positives: - First Bulgarian neo-noir film - First Bulgarian film successfully presents the Thriller and Action elements in genre. - Very Good acting, especially from the Zahary Baharov and Djoko Rosic - First Bulgarian film to use cgi, I know this could be a negative but in this case it is used very well. - Monologue is absolutely outstanding in some parts. - Unlike most recent Bulgarian films this one is not set around just one location. - For its small Budget, a very good recreation of 1960s Sofia. - Awesome Soundtrack - Good Humor in places.

Negatives: - Too short, 85 minutes felt too short to fully achieve its potential. - Many unnecessary scenes involving downgrade humanity and dialogue which focus on 'toilet humour' - Too much nudity, this is something which all Bulgarian films suffer from but this one takes it on another level.(This may not be a negative to all but I generally do not like too much nudity, I believe there is different films for that purpose.)

Overall I believe the positives overcome the negatives and In conclusion I must say I liked Zift even though by no means its a masterpiece. It is very likely to be enjoyed by people who are fans of films like, Trainspotting, Irreversible, Requiem for a Dream, The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover and Tarantino's work.
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9/10
Brilliant dark comedy
sergepesic26 September 2011
" Zift"is a stunning surprise that came from Bulgaria. Black and white noir, dark comedy with a brilliant camera work and lighting. It makes you nostalgic for the old pre-color days, when the directors had to be extra creative, and shadows warmed your heart more than flames ever could. The incredible parody spots wicked sense of humor, especially with the fake Russian songs and surprisingly quite a few homo-erotic images. War and weapons usually get coupled with phallic symbols. Eros and Thanatos in it purest form. It is an immense pleasure to encounter such talented and smart artists, these days of simplicity and proud lack of novelty.Can we have some more, please.
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7/10
Sharp black and white photography can't save this muddled effort.
sharkies699 June 2009
Saw this at the Sydney Film Festival and was a little disappointed. Seemed to be a lot of hype surrounding this. Really liked the black and white photography and had high hopes after a nice opening. Unfortunately the movie lost me in the middle and never quite recovered.

I'd have to agree with one of the earlier posts. I think Gardev has definitely borrowed from other films and directors. Apart from that Todorov's screenplay doesn't quite work for me but I would love to read the book (the English translation is released next year). I found the little stories and anecdotes from minor characters to be intrusive and tiresome after a while and I don't know if the voice-over was that effective.

Thought the acting was fine and there were some amusing moments but overall I can't work out if this was supposed to be a thriller or black comedy, heist flick, noir potboiler or a bit of all of these.
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10/10
Thats a movie you have to watch
emphedokles22 August 2009
In a time where brutality in movies only count when you see tons of blood, sex only count when it looks like porn and the story only count when there are 20 story switches with three parallel stories in it, the Bulgarian cinema brought us a movie which have not any of this in it and although it is ten times better.

I am finished five minutes ago watching this movie. And there is no way for me to describe the reason why i give that flick a ten.

Not one minute of that movie is boring, nothing in it is hyperbolical. Its lyrical without being intellectual.

Just watch it. You will not regret any minute of you're live that you will have spended for watching this movie.
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7/10
Good movie
cvetanstoyanov1 March 2023
One of the best new Bulgarian films. Dzift is a dark white film with cynicism, a fun sense of humor and a really well developed main character. The moth quotes are really interesting and can connect you to real life. The story at the beginning with the cheating wife that ended with the bigger the feces, the bigger the damage morally rather than materially was really interesting. The acting was good, cinematography was on point and the soundtrack was really good. It wasn't some full blown anti-communnist propaganda. The characters and stories throughout out the movie were really well done. After all it is definitely worth a watch.
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9/10
Hilarious, profane, poignant...
SanFernandoCurt11 December 2009
This strange, lyrical semi-gangster movie reminded me of "El Topo" and "Eraserhead" in the way it stumbles with deceptive carelessness through its plot. Smalltime thief "Moth", who's lost his youth imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit, is released hoping to jump a freighter to the tropics. Fate and his past intervene.

"Zift" bows to film-noir classics like "Gilda" and "DOA", even lifting plot elements, but this little gem uses their themes only as point of departure, as it does references to "Candide": If all is best in the best possible worlds, all is worst in the worst.

And Soviet-era Bulgaria director Gardev depicts is just that - filthy, casually brutal and airlessly detached. Its denizens gossip via dirty jokes and debase themselves with joyful abandon. It's bracing to see such a depiction, since the "Marxist experiment" of Russia and Eastern Europe is almost sentimentally beheld in most Western media ('course, we didn't live the ugliness of the "paradise"). And a glimmer of humanity and soul in a Christian church surely would keep "Zift" off fashionably dogmatic PBS.

The world of the Moth is as black and spongy as the tar he loves to chew - the "zift" of the title. But there is within it laughter and truth. Highly recommended.
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6/10
Visually stunning
kosmasp1 August 2010
But unfortunately not that fleshed out. Story-wise there is not that much there. And I should have been warned. When the cover states things like a "cross between Tarantino ..." and another statement that states, that this movie might be a contender for an "Oscar for best foreign movie" ... you know something is wrong. You just don't know what that might be. But visually this is a (black/white) treat.

It's just a shame, that the story doesn't get that much attention. It's pretty incoherent, not to mention that even the most beautiful cinematography (metaphors) are not working if their sole purpose is to confuse the viewer and not deliver any kind of direct link to what we are seeing. Of course you could argue that I didn't get all the references and that might be true. But this still aims higher than it actually can reach. So while not a bad movie at all, there is still quite a few things to improve with this one.
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3/10
1 star or 10 stars
n1h1l1s714 February 2009
In fact, a sociological research can be done about Bulgaria along those pages here.

Some people say "it is the worst movie ever" and give it 1 star, some say it is "the best Bulgarian movie" and give it 8-10 stars. Well, the truth is somewhere in between. (I hate that "this movie is horrible" people say "too much profanity"... what? This movie is FAR LESS profane than ANY meeting in Bulgaria, where men are present...)

-The acting... is bad. Or, there is not any. Only Moth is kinda okay, the rest is in the mediocre-horrible range (Ada being the bottom).

-Characters... are horrible. Firstly, NOBODY swears... Undertakers, drunkards, military people, prisoners... WHAT? I don't know if non-balkan guys know how is it here, but HELL, even most intelligent of our guys swear like hell... when you listen to angry security guard for example, you can laugh your ass from the swears you will hear... In this movie- "f!ck, sh!t". Hell, Americans swear that way, bulgarians... DON'T. Besides, all characters speak in PERFECT Bulgarian, which makes them totally frigid and unrealistic (imagine a movie about a ghetto, where all black guys talk like Barrack Obama).

-The storyline- is utterly messed at the end. The motives of some major characters remain unclear when the lights are up.

-The Balkan humor- is missing and that is just insane. All we have to offer IS THAT, not make some high-budget movie rip-offs- because they won't work.

-The dialogue- is most of the time bad. So is the narrator text- yeah, it is from a book... SO WHAT? There are bad books too- and this one is one of them.

-The scene when they run at the women public bath and there are numerous naked women- is POINTLESS. I don't hold anything against nudity, but I HATE pointless nudity.

Yeah, with so much "bads", someone will ask where are the "goods". Well, there are some. The movie is nicely shot, from my point of view- this is the big +. There were some nice moments too. But that's about it. Yes, the dialogue, story, acting weren't insanely bad, they weren't Epic/Disaster movie bad, they just weren't any good. I would give that movie 3 or 4 for the effort- it is not so bad to deserve 1, but it ain't deserving 8-10 too... not by a long shot.
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10/10
The perfect movie
rivarix30 September 2008
This movie has given back to me the hope that Bulgarian cinema is going upward! Tha last few bg titles that i've seen all seemed to have a problem - they were weird (in terms of plot, acting, locations, camera angles). And just because a movie is tragic, strange, original and twisted doesn't mean it's good. Yes, maybe it can move you. Maybe. Maybe one can admit that the movie is totally genuine. But that still doesn't mean it's a masterpiece. Something is just missing for the movie to be enjoyable and moving while you're in the theater and mind blowing when you get out and think it over. The missing parts probably are the perfect storyline of Zift, the look of Zift, the action of Zift, the soundtrack of Zift, the grotesque humor of Zift! That's what makes the film of Yavor Gardev so successful - perfection itself!
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1/10
How to make a (good) bad movie which is still trash
vlahov3 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
My on my, where to start with... First of all, I really truly madly deeply wanted to like this movie. It couldn't be otherwise because prior to the premiere there was such a big media invasion on all the TV and radio stations and Javor Gardev was flowing from water and gas pipes telling us how f.cking great this movie is. So I went and paid 5 euro for the ticket (this is about 1/20th of the minimal month salary here). Then I entered the cold and ugly, almost socialistic dirty theater and tuned myself for watching a masterpiece. Then I was blown away. But not with something great. Literally the first words shows how poor in soul the scriptwriter and the director were. It starts with showing feces, stupidity, foul language, genitals and unusual sex scenes like some B-movie from the 80's. The script is inevitably bad, even for a post soc Bulgarian movie, with plot holes larger than black hole in the Universe and wooden and totally meaningless lines filled with pretentious philosophical stereotypes. All the time I was getting into the impression I was watching someone's training work. Well, not really. There are so many snitches from well known movies and directors that I can't really count all of them. As if Gardev was getting into Tarantino's mind (but without having all the money) and was assembling a movie from the small pieces of all the movies he had been watching.

Some of them include:

  • Main idea snatched from "Crank" (the main character is poisoned and ought to die in one night, so the whole action takes one night)


  • Script snatched from "Snatch" (the run for the (black) diamond and other ideas)


  • Slow motion and other moves from "Trainspotting"


  • Scenes taken directly from "Pulp Fiction" (the torture scene with Bruce Willis at the basement)


  • Scenes taken directly from "Sin City" (for example when Bruce Willis falls on the board)


  • Script snatched from "Revolver" (the main character ought to die in several hours so he starts giving a sh*t about everything)


  • Scenes snitched from the TV movie "Statskiy Sovetnik" (The State Counsellor) at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450158/ - the run in the women's bathroom and other scenes


Then it becomes even funnier. There are two scenes snitched directly from soc classic series here in Bulgaria (I am sure you have never heard of them, but count on my words, it was truly classic) - "Na vseki kilometar" (At each kilometer) at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238439/, I used to notice two entirely copied scenes - the chasing in the Perlova River's channel, the tramway pioneer's sequence...

All in all, I must say that using a foul language coupled with totally unbelievable, grotesque and inane characters does NOT a great movie made. Besides, the actor's play was bad to mediocre, with the only two noticeable exceptions - the main character Moth and Djoko Rossich, who is well known cinema professional. This is something most new Bulgarian movies suffer with - no one of the good theatrical actors have any experience with cinema, and I am constantly under impression I am watching TV version of the theatrical play. The lead female character was past all belief bad. Having really good actresses here I can't really explain why non-professional was ever cast. Her eroticism was non-existent. Even the sex scene at the end was flat and empty. At the very predictable end I was empty. I know that the movie has to have some double or hidden meaning, but the people in the audience doesn't seem to have caught it. BTW, from about 50 people in the theater I was one of the dozen ones to watch the movie till the end. And that's saying something. This is soctrash movie with no value so I don't recommend anyone watching it.
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10/10
Made me proud of my country!
stefan_kz_bg18 November 2008
This is the top of the Bulgarian film industry,I think.Not forever,but for the past 25-30 years.This is the Bulgarian movie,that has the biggest chance of winning ANY award worldwide.It's about the drama,the innovative story told by it,and the acting.The old school Bulgarian actors like Djoko Rosich for example,along with the younger actors,made a great masterpiece of the already brilliant script. My new favorite film,getting "The Shawshank redemption" off the top. Congratulations Bulgaria,you made me proud with your present achievement for the first time.You made me proud with your past only,but until I saw this! 10/10 from me!
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10/10
one of the great Bulgarian films
mikkenzi31 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I heard about this film entirely by accident and saw it in French translation first, a version which is simply wonderful. The translation is most enjoyable and I regret that the translation team or translator working on this is not mentioned in the credits for they deserve much praise! The plays on words and the depth of the dialogs have been kept in their entirety. There are two things that strike me about this film. The Shakespearean dimension of it comes first. Full of primary symbolism, Zift is a tragedy, which takes place on one single night. At the same time, it is a tragedy replete with irony, with deep satire. It carries something undefinable that does not drive you to tears but, on the contrary, brings a smile to your face. The gravediggers, the shots of bodily waste, the farting, the poisons and Romeo-and-Juliettesque plot, transformed into a tragical farce of betrayal via the insect imagery are elements that any student of Anglo-Saxon literature can easily recognize. The film contains countless numbers of weirdos, as if the dregs of all humankind have been gathered there to show ugliness in all its sublime beauty. This is, in fact, part of what impressed me on the second place - the sheer beauty of the photography. It is not black and white out of mere empty claims to artistry. It is black and white because it has been purged of everything that is superfluous. Black and white are highly contrasted, the gray is present minimally. On the whole, a very beautiful, very intelligent film. Very well-written, ably directed and shot. A film that deserves attention.
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10/10
I feel like watching Zift again...
rain_8129 December 2008
I saw the trailer first and thought it's great but it surely wasn't the reason took me to the cinema.I know Yavor Gardev is absolutely brilliant theater director and just couldn't wait to see his film debut. I like the movie is black and white, it's different from the usual American commercial rubbish. I love to see Snezhina Petrova even in that small bit, she is incredible...just adore her way of expression! I think Zahary Baharov is the right choice for the leading role, I was impressed by his voice-very emotional and touching. Have to admit I didn't understand some parts of the movie 'cause it's just full with a lot of symbols, difficult to catch all of them. The film is not perfect but it's a sign someone is trying to create something really good and competitive.I go to the cinema once in a blue moon but this time I went to see Zift for a special reason- to support the Bulgarian cinematography. And I'd like to do it again....sure I will and expecting a new film from Yavor Gardev /I'm really proud with his success in Russia/.

Regards :)
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3/10
No hope for the BG cinematography
dangershark723 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
It was a damn month where everybody in Bulgaria were saying "hey, did you watch Zift?! It's an awesome movie and it's great and it's the best BG movie ever!". Well, at last I decided to go and see it, although I had my hope in the BG cinematography long lost. I entered the ugly theater and took my good place in the middle. And damn it, the trailer says it all - "Pineapple peels and sh*ts". That's the best thing in this movie. A banal screenplay, incredibly bad acting, phrases that make you wanna kick someone's head and again this damn post-communist element. You know, all the Bulgarian movies have it.

So better go and watch some stupid low-budget Hollywood movie instead of this crap. At least you could see some better acting and more than 2 colors. Yeah, black & white is banal, especially when it's used without a specific reason. It might be a really nice effect (see "Pi") and it might annoy you so much that you just decide to leave the damn theater half an hour before the predictable end.

Again, about the acting. Yes, it's bad. Yes, most of the actors had never played before. And yes, I can see that clearly.

And hell yes, I paid $2 for that crap but I wouldn't even give 2 stotinki (around 1 cent) to watch this wannabe-a-good-Bulgarian-movie. Although some Bulgarian pseudo-patriots (this means almost all Bulgarians) might like it.

In the end, the good thing. Congratulations to the director - very good and professional job! Unfortunately the good directing is not equal to a good movie.
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8/10
What, this isn't an episode of Sin City?
karlpov21 April 2009
Watching this innovative black and white noir thriller, I kept thinking that Frank Miller must have written it, so perfectly does it fit the sensibility of his Sin City comic book series. Innovative, not exactly original: one can indeed detect the influence of any number of famous noir flicks, most notably D.O.A. But it's executed so perfectly that I wouldn't want to complain. My wife said that the film was rich in allusions to Bulgarian life and culture which went right past me. She is definitely not a genre fan but she really liked this movie. Certainly the best Bulgarian movie I've seen since the magically-realistic anti-communist fable The Well.
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1/10
Well... not good indeed...
video121210 February 2009
As a SWF I was literally taken into watching this movie by a friend and I truly regret every minute of it. Later, browsing through Bulgarian blogs I stumbled upon something I think I should translate to every non-Bulgarian native viewer to see. Since I hate plagiarism, I'll post it:

HOW TO STEAL ZIFT

First: We steal the plot from the movie "Crank" with Jason Statham (2006)!

Second: We steal style from the soundtrack of Kill Bill

Third: We steal a dozen of a military jokes !

Fourth: We steal Felini's characters!

Fifth: We steal Kusturitsa's background!

Sixth: We steal the Phillip Marlowe's monologues, created decades earlier from the great writer Raymond Chandler!

Seventh: We steal episodes from about at least 10-12 worldwide known movies, I don't have spare time enough to count the details!

..... we mix all the things on black and white and voilà! We get worldwide applause and we amaze the already berserk Hollywood:((( At least this is the info taken from our "objective" press (excuse me)!

What the heck are we left with? We can "steal" the same movie at some torrent site and to at least know that we're not in for it financially from all this SH*T! We steal, we watch, we swear and we delete the movie afterward. At least if we have the opinion of our own.

The movie "Zift" is super pitiful... at my personal estimation! I don't give a sh*t about the competent jury, about mass advertisement and box office records in Bulgaria's standards! The mere tries for the movie to look like Metallica's video clip doesn't save the production at all. It is just that every minute of this movie you're guessing what exactly movie you were watching the same thing in and you try to guess the title :((( We have good level of actor's play, that's only positive thing, WITH THE EXCEPTION of Tanya Ilieva, who pushes lines with the power of expression of the green euglene in the non-fertile age. At least her tits are nice :))) Aaaa! And this "Nosferatu" from the Bulgarian Big Brother 4... Tzvetan! He shows as a mockery with mustache, obviously made out of plastic tape.

What we have at the end of the long run: that the "Modern Bulgarian Cinema" is not Modern, is not Bulgarian and is not cinema at all :((( Not to mention that chewing asphalt in the years when chewing gum Ideal was becoming cult, is true perversion!

I don't like this movie!
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10/10
" Keep your eye on the Darkness as it seeps into your life and devours you "
thinker16913 November 2010
Not often does a European or foreign film captures your attention as you sit to watch it. Here is one which will do just that. The Black and White movie later transferred to the big screen by Vladislav Todorov was superbly directed by director Javor Gardev. The gut wrenching story develops in an isolated dank, dark, brutal, Bulgarian Prison where our hero " Zift " (Zahary Baharov) otherwise known as 'The Moth' has just been granted early Parole. The movie depicts his early years, which includes his school, girlfriend, Ada (Tanya Ilieva) and a short-lived life of crime. Falsley imprisoned for his part in a murder-robbery gone bad, he insists he is innocent. Just when the audience begins to believe Moth only wants to leave the country and journey to the tropics, they are introduced to 'Slug' (Vladimir Penev) a brutal, sadistic partner who plans' on trailing Moth in a desperate search for a mysterious diamond said to have been stolen during the murder/robbery. The stark, bloody, black and white images, along with the director's ability to scatter mayhem and death through the dark rainy streets of Bulgaria offers a realistic movie which is direct, honest and as for this reviewer, a magnificent Classic of the first magnitude. Superior acting. ****
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8/10
the '60s were an ugly time for the Eastern Bloc
lee_eisenberg1 April 2022
We in the US, Canada and Western Europe associate the '60s with flower power, along with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. This was not the case with Eastern Europe. Under the Soviet boot, the Eastern Bloc experienced severe repression. A number of movies have depicted this, but Bulgaria's submission to the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film gives a particularly gritty look. Yavor Gardev's "Zift" focuses on a man who just spent several years in a hellish prison, only to have trouble navigating the new Sofia upon his release.

The movie has some of the ugliest, most grotesque stuff that I've ever seen in movies. And they play it out masterfully. Not the ultimate masterpiece, but it leaves little to the imagination. This is the first Bulgarian movie that I've ever seen, so I'd like to see more. In the meantime, I recommend this one.
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9/10
Lucky Luciano
lachezarmatneshliev11 November 2022
Director Javor Gardev crashing all ideas and substitute an a legendary image's of cast and crew brings the old spooky story alive, well undead as a timeless violence. In Zift acting play performances is need lot of commercial a in other side I'm working on it! ''Golden Compass'' It's not what you know, is what you can prove until now. ''Get Ready''! High spirited entertainment, playing mind with ''backup'' asian force director Javor Gardev ''Tsui Hark'' "Double Team''! Inspired by the folk hero Wong Fei Hung and martial art Wing Chun. As usual we die hard and undemanding contribution need apply againse new generations insurgent and allegiant. Exciting and inspiring captivating action screenplay ''speak'' created by Zachary Baharov an ours legendary guests and whom's obvious confidential story rock your body and minds. The Fift Elements in Zift film is hunting mission, classified Predators and follow the common crime routine category ''music'' If love was a crime then we would be criminals. Locked up for life but I'll do the time. If love was a crime then we would work miracles. High above the ground. Demolition Man is special effects reversing in favor in glamour screenplay artistic and powerfull overwhelming desire by the Cruise and Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut since '99! In Zift sequences finally unleashes potential for smooth delivery. Attempt at nothing less than a present day life ''Lost in Translation''! Long time ago I says your famous is well deserved, and I will bring the money, what do you need. Without any guiding point on his own way convincing performances of Zachary Baharov is locate realistic and inspiring indeed changing time and place a iron nerves to sail off into nowhere just because an orange was round. Zift is story suggest an excellence researcher squeeze in provide renaissance period detail! A terrible dimensional historical highlights reminds me for Smenti Kapeli! A lumbering journey that conveys none of the joy or mystery of exploration unintelligible line readings and Director murky mise-en-scene make it a hard film to hear and see, let alone like. Zift is a grimly seductive end of the world thriller, with pop tragic overtones that build in resonance as the movie goes on. Screenplay on the another side is a friendly fantasy comics had more surprises and more thrills in which the iron and space ages meet for goofy cartoon network results and high scrypt of S. W. A. T. Cats darkly funny has more sharply belongs characters. "Who is your king'' subsitute your medal for Deep in blue ocean! At last Wild Wild West Tenet Basic Instinct that offers new empire more than visual splendor so recommend it. Zift is exemplified summer, the sets, cinematography and special effects are all first rate the main character have spirit to sustain that ambition. Settings director skyline Javor Gardev counting and drills out some perfunctory generic scares amazingly dull and humdrum. Much better bad film. It isn't often in Hollywood that a director gets the chance to go back and essentially change everything. Zift which is too gruesome for grammar school youngsters and too easily laughed off for most high schoolers, ought to be a big hit among the junior high crowd. Not nearly as scary as the renaissance culture it nonetheless expresses and attempts to escape in bold terms the anxieties of being. The Edge of 13 or Banlieue 13! Zift is triumph quite ultimate performance a first class taste of bourbon an old country song thats Take Me Home, Country Roads. Zachary Baharov luckily provides some fine routines for the supporting cast, notably the scene Burgas imagination small surprisingly gentle affair, serve with devastate laugh. Zift is in fact takes spirituality and morality more seriously than most films do maybe because the year is '92 the delightful renaissance and the years of transition. Uncompromising ''Bad Lieutenant'' is a harrowing journey ''In break charm, it compensates for with bold and single mindedness of vision''! Zift is Guardiance of the Galaxy in an extraordinary and uninhibited performance by Zachary Baharov in the title role. The Ghost and The Darkness the story line feels essentially prodigy, as Zift stumbles through Washington in an immoral, unchanging haze. It is only the strength of Zachary Baharov performance that gives his chi energy personality human dimension.
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1/10
Nothing but a CLICHÉ
fenoveifenki13 February 2009
" Zift" is not a film just a horrible cliché . This a deadly born and terrible cliché. What if they have emptied the genre of no ire to pour the cliché's of communism? So miserably and disgusting and in the same time simple and dumb dedicated for idiots. It questions both sentiments and the feeling of endurance to this horrible mixture one can only zap if it was on TV. If it could surprise anyone it would be for it's appalling lack of measurement. The authors use the socialist era as a background of their demonstration of bad taste and gay games based on excrement's and bathroom images. To quote a wonderful Bulgarian film critic Kulezich in a famous newspaper "the authors have grabbed the WC plate in order to serve us disgusting a fraud deprived of everything but their extreme and infinity ambitions. The clichés cover all fields and it is simply a useless feature I can only advise and comment stay away otherwise you'll get stinky and covered with dirt almost fiscally.
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10/10
"Zift," directed by Javor Gardev, is a mesmerizing noir film that delves deep into the gritty underbelly of post-World War II Bulgaria.
alexpeychev30 March 2024
"Zift," directed by Javor Gardev, is a mesmerizing noir film that delves deep into the gritty underbelly of post-World War II Bulgaria, blending elements of crime, drama, and surrealism to create a uniquely captivating cinematic experience.

Set in the late 1940s, against the backdrop of a bleak and oppressive communist regime, "Zift" follows the story of Moth, a recently released convict who finds himself plunged into a nightmarish world of betrayal, deception, and existential despair. As he navigates the shadowy streets of Sofia, Moth grapples with his own tortured past while confronting the harsh realities of life in a society ruled by corruption and moral decay.

What sets "Zift" apart is its distinctive visual style and narrative approach. Shot in stark black and white, with occasional bursts of color, the film exudes a hauntingly atmospheric quality that perfectly complements its dark and foreboding tone. The use of surreal imagery and dreamlike sequences adds an extra layer of depth to the story, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy in a way that keeps the audience constantly on edge.

At the heart of "Zift" is a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption, driven by a complex and enigmatic protagonist in Moth. Played with haunting intensity by Zachary Baharov, Moth is a deeply flawed yet undeniably compelling character whose journey serves as a potent metaphor for the human condition.

Gardev's direction is masterful, creating a palpable sense of tension and unease that permeates every frame of the film. From its atmospheric cinematography to its evocative soundtrack, "Zift" is a meticulously crafted work of art that immerses viewers in its nightmarish world from start to finish.

In conclusion, "Zift" is a bold and audacious piece of filmmaking that defies easy categorization. Equal parts crime thriller, existential drama, and surrealistic fever dream, it stands as a testament to the power of cinema to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche. With its arresting visuals, haunting atmosphere, and thought-provoking narrative, "Zift" is a must-see for fans of daring and unconventional cinema.
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1/10
Black and white picture and trash talking do NOT make an Neo-Noir movie
tsanev2 February 2009
Black and white picture and trash talking do NOT make an Neo-Noir movie… We can guess the director's ideas or the story morals. We can guess, but what's delivered as an final product is unsuccessful attempt for modern cinematography. The story is full of flows – from the neat looking fascist time prison with snow white sweat shirts on all of the prisoners, trough kidnapping of the main character with an Russian limousine (impossible situation) garnished with bath full of women (let it be flesh…). A young girl that does not age with 20 years, a jeweler that likes to keep a black diamond… well you know where, while he exercise…. And please, radioactive poison detected in no time by lab in the beginning of the 60's….. I know, those inconsistent facts are only the side dish of the BIG idea, the big wisdom that we must get and embrace. I did not get neither the idea, neither the wisdom. All I got is foul language, trash picture and one more convincing example that the new Bulgarian Cinema is in the same "zift" as the movie title
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10/10
Slightly twisted, black-and-white Bulgarian film.
bshristov11 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The film starts with Lev (Moth) in prison for murder. Lel is released from prison but immediately falls into the hands of some uniformed men who want to know the location of a diamond that Moth supposedly stole.

The name "Zift" apparently comes from an Arabic word meaning asphalt that was once a popular chewing-gum like substance in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Zift is a love story mixed with murder and betrayal, in all I have to say that Zift is a strong entry into the noir genre.

Highly recommended for the fans of black comedy and drama.
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