Petkov's debut film focuses on corruption and morality

Bulgarian director Yordan Petkov's debut feature film Resonance explores themes of corruption, complicity, and individual conscience, blending elements of an Eastern European western with atmospheric storytelling. The film premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival and marks Petkov's transition from journalism and advertising to filmmaking.

A different take on crime and corruption

In an interview with Cineuropa, Petkov explained that Resonance approaches corruption and mafia business from a different angle than aggressive Bulgarian crime movies of the early post-communist years. Rather than focusing on realism, the film uses archetypal characters, most of whom are unnamed, to create a more meditative and symbolic narrative.

Influences and genre blending

Petkov describes Resonance as an Eastern European western, influenced by the westerns he watched on pirate VHS tapes and filmmakers like Bogdan Mirică and Ralitza Petrova. The genre serves as a starting point, with local reality forming the backdrop. The film aims to create a sense of timelessness, allowing the story to feel relevant in any era.

Emotional core and character duality

The young policeman is the emotional center of the film, and Petkov identifies with both him and the mysterious stranger who disrupts the town's corrupt order. He sees them as two parts of a single character, exploring the feeling of being at a crossroads with no clear direction. The film's ending is described as optimistic, highlighting the quiet, inward struggle against corruption.

Symbolism and the female character

The only character with a known name, the female character, represents a path beyond the anger and intolerance that traps the other characters. She is the voice of reason among the self-absorbed men. The recurring sirens in the film were inspired by the anxiety around the end of 2019 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, serving as a counterpoint to the stranger's warnings.

Casting and natural performances

Petkov focused on natural performances when assembling the cast. Hristo Petkov, known from his previous collaboration in Night Shift, plays the policeman, while Ivan Savov brings nuance to the hermit character. Borislav Chouchkov won his role as the local villain through the casting process. The director emphasized the importance of how the actors spoke, aiming for realism in their delivery.