Zooming in from Basel, Switzerland, Slava welcomes us into her quaint room, characterized by its charming, slanted wooden ceiling. Despite the pandemic, Slava's dedication to her queer community remains unwavering as she presses on with her creative projects.
Though young, Slava exudes the confidence and experience of a seasoned industry professional. This is no surprise, given her extensive background as an actress before transitioning to writing and directing. Her acting career includes notable roles such as Rasha in "Christmas Tree Upside Down" (2006) and a part in "Crayfish" (2009), directed by Ivan Tscherkelov. However, Slava's desire to see authentic representations of herself on screen propelled her toward creating her own work. "I really wanted to see myself represented in cinema," she explains.
"The parts for women my age are usually the girlfriends of the main character, and I clearly don’t fit that image. So it's hard. I don’t think I could have ever made a career out of acting. But I was always more interested in doing my own stuff. I find my own work more rewarding and fulfilling at this point. And I like to have more control."
“I made it for Bulgarian audiences, because I didn't see our queer life in cinema here at all”
In 2020, Slava released her short film "Whole" online, premiering it in 2018. "I made it for Bulgarian audiences because I didn't see our queer life represented in cinema here at all."
"Whole" is a dramatic portrayal of a closeted queer person navigating a traditional Bulgarian family wedding. The protagonist, Yana, struggles immensely with her identity and her place in the world. Her frustration boils over in interactions with her mother and older family members.
"It's almost autobiographical. It didn’t happen exactly this way, but the emotional weight came from an actual experience. Going through a Bulgarian wedding was very difficult for me. It was a clash of two worlds because I was more in the closet then, without my community around me. I felt very alone. It was like me against the world."
In the film, a young waitress captures Yana’s attention, highlighting her internal conflict. The traditional wedding setting intensifies her dilemma: Should Yana continue hiding, or should she follow her innate desires? This exploration of identity and anxiety resonates universally, making "Whole" a powerful piece of cinema.
"Once this film was done and out, it felt like a huge weight lifted off me. I was finally myself, with nothing to hide anymore."
Slava’s personal struggles reflect broader issues faced by young queer individuals in hostile environments, a subject she knows well. In her spare time, she engages with the Bulgarian LGBT+ community through various projects:
"Once this film was done and out, It felt like a huge weight lifted off me. I was finally me, nothing to hide anymore."
"In 2018, as part of the Sofia Pride Film Fest, we created a talent lab for filmmakers from the Balkans. We invited 10 people from the region to pitch a short queer film and win a small production grant. It was an inspiring time. After just one week, we all felt a strong sense of community. These labs in the regular film world are often competitive, but as queer people, we find strength and purpose in supporting each other like family.”
Slava is inspired by the younger queer generation in Sofia and hopes to make a documentary about them. "The youngsters have a very different energy than my generation and older people. They’re almost like they didn’t grow up in Eastern Europe. They’re a different breed of queer people, an improved version of us, because they have less fear and they’re so relentless and fabulous. The world is theirs, the future is theirs."
Being openly queer in Bulgaria is challenging. In April 2019, politicians in Plovdiv attempted to halt a photography exhibition called 'Balkan Pride,' and there have been frequent attacks on LGBT+ people in Sofia. Homophobic graffiti with derogatory slogans is also common.
However, the Bulgarian LGBT+ community should not be defined by these incidents. It is a strong, vibrant community full of talent, art, and creativity, with Slava as a shining example. She acknowledges the risks but remains undeterred:
"It can get scary, but when you see things like this, you see all the more reason to keep speaking, to keep working. Because if that’s not a reason, what is?"
Slava recognizes the importance of her role in supporting the new generation: "They’re facing a bigger backlash because they’re not trying to pass. Many of us from the older generation were trying to pass, but these kids aren’t. That’s why they are in greater danger. They need us to fight for a safer space."
From actress to writer and director, Slava has embarked on a journey of self-discovery through film. She has transitioned from being controlled to being in control, using her experience to support young queer individuals. For this, she is their guardian angel, tirelessly working to make the world a safer and more accepting place.
Comentarios