A new film titled Lust will make its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024. Directed by Ralitza Petrova, this sophomore feature delves into themes of control and intimacy through the lens of a prison parole officer confronting her past. The film follows Lilian, a character whose life is marked by strict emotional and physical discipline, as she navigates the complexities of her father’s death and the unresolved issues that arise from it.
Set against the backdrop of Lilian’s hometown, the narrative unfolds as she is called back to address her father’s long-absent presence. What begins as a simple administrative task spirals into a deeper exploration of grief, institutional challenges, and bureaucratic stagnation. A synopsis describes how she encounters “unresolved debts” and a “decaying body caught in bureaucratic limbo,” illustrating the film’s profound engagement with mortality and loss.
As Lilian moves through various settings—offices, hotel rooms, and deserted spaces—the film captures her emotional descent, confronting grief and awakening repressed desires. An unexpected connection with a Shibari rigger introduces elements of controlled vulnerability, where intimacy becomes a carefully negotiated exchange rather than a guaranteed outcome.
Petrova, whose debut film Godless won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016, draws from her personal experiences to shape Lust. She reflects on her own father’s passing, stating, “What followed was not conventional grief, but the mourning of an absence already in place.” This film emerges as a contemplation of the void left by absent fathers and the burdens their daughters carry.
The production of Lust involved a collaboration between Aporia Filmworks in Bulgaria, with contributions from Nikolay Todorov and Poli Angelova of Screening Emotions. It also received support from international partners, including Denmark’s Snowglobe and Sweden’s Silver Films. Funding was provided by the Bulgarian National Film Center, the Danish Film Institute, Film I Vast, and Eurimages, showcasing a robust international backing for the project.
Inwave Films will handle international distribution, ensuring the film reaches audiences beyond its premiere in Berlin. The trailer for Lust, now available, hints at a restrained yet impactful blend of trauma, emptiness, tenderness, and austerity.
As the festival approaches, anticipation builds around Petrova’s exploration of complex emotional landscapes and the nuanced portrayal of human connections in Lust. This film promises to resonate deeply with viewers, inviting them to consider the intricacies of grief and the quest for intimacy in the face of loss.
