A New and Different Perspective on the History of Bulgarian Cinema During the Interwar Period

Абстракт

The book offers a fresh perspective on the history of Bulgarian cinema during the interwar period, focusing on early film industry practices in Bulgaria. The first part presents the histories of the Rankov, Royal, Hemus, and Balkan cinemas, while the second part details the biographies and contributions of ten entrepreneurs from the early days of Bulgarian cinema. The narrative's central thread follows the course of changes resulting from the advent of sound cinema. The history of the cinemas is presented comprehensively: the programming is described – including the timing of film screenings relative to other venues and comparisons with the lineups of the leading, toptier cinema – alongside details such as seating capacity, opening dates, architectural designs, associated spaces, urban locations, and even ticket prices.
The approach taken regarding the individuals involved is as comprehensive as possible, incorporating all researched and verified biographical details concerning the life stories of enthusiasts who had faded into oblivion – the trailblazers, those who laid the foundations of film entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, and the pioneers of Bulgarian cinema.
A notable merit of the narrative regarding early Bulgarian cinema is how seamlessly it is woven into the broader story of world cinema. Consequently, the history of nascent cinema, sound films in Bulgaria, and film entrepreneurship is not only presented objectively but also finds its rightful place in the mosaic of global film history.