On February 16, 2024, the Berlin International Film Festival will premiere ‘Lust’, the latest feature from Bulgarian director Ralitza Petrova. This film explores themes of grief and control through the eyes of a parole officer confronting her past following the death of her estranged father. The film is part of the Forum program at the festival, which showcases innovative and diverse works.
Storyline and Themes
The protagonist, Lilian, lives a life marked by meticulous control over her emotions and desires. As a parole officer, her existence is governed by precise routines. However, when she returns to her hometown to deal with her father’s death, a seemingly straightforward task evolves into a complex journey filled with unresolved issues and bureaucratic challenges. A synopsis describes the film as navigating “offices, hotel rooms, and abandoned dwellings,” leading to a deep exploration of intimacy, grief, and the longing for connection.
Petrova explains that the film emerged from her own experience with loss. “In 2016, my father passed away – someone I barely knew,” she says. “What followed was not conventional grief, but the mourning of an absence already in place.” She aims to portray the lingering emptiness left by absent fathers and the weight it imposes on their daughters.
Production and Collaborations
‘Lust’ was produced by Petrova through Aporia Filmworks in Bulgaria, in partnership with Nikolay Todorov and Poli Angelova of Screening Emotions. The film also received support from Denmark’s Snowglobe and Sweden’s Silver Films, with backing from the Bulgarian National Film Center, the Danish Film Institute, Film I Vast, and Eurimages. International sales are being managed by Inwave Films.
One of the film’s unique elements is its exploration of Shibari, a form of Japanese rope bondage that symbolizes controlled vulnerability. This practice serves as a backdrop for Lilian’s evolving relationships, emphasizing the negotiation of intimacy rather than its mere existence.
The official trailer for ‘Lust’ has been released, showcasing the film’s blend of trauma, tenderness, and austerity. It invites viewers to experience the complex emotional landscape that the characters navigate, promising a thought-provoking examination of personal and societal struggles.
As anticipation builds for the film’s premiere, ‘Lust’ stands out as a compelling addition to the festival, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersections of grief, control, and human connection.
