SXSW 2009 Preview: ‘Zift’

Another film playing SXSW under the “Midnighters” header is the neo-noir murder mystery from Bulgaria, ‘Zift’.   Winner of the “Silver George” for Best Director and Best Film in Main Competition at the 2008 Moscow International Film Festival.

Here is the film’s synopsis:

The story unfolds in one night.   The main character, Moth is freed on parole after spending time in prison on wrongful conviction of murder.   He was thrown in jail shortly before the Bulgarian communist coup of 1944, and now finds himself in a new and alien world – the totalitarian Sofia of the 60s.
All hell breaks loose as soon as he walks out of jail.   Moth tricks the bloodhounds of the communist state.

His first night of freedom the main character spends in a breathtaking chase with time, trying to avoid fate, as he gets closer and closer to his ultimate demise.

His frantic flight draws the map of a diabolical totalitarian city – decaying neighborhoods and gloomy streets, the bathhouse, the city canal, the hospital, the cathedral, the pompous works of communist architecture centered around the Mausoleum, smoky joints, bars, and finally — the graveyard.

In the pursuit of truth, Moth runs into a bizarre parade of characters – agents, medics, barflies, outcasts, gravediggers and other species of the asphalt jungle. The action thickens through avalanching variety of twists and turns, sudden revelations, flashbacks, lies laid bare, hallucinations, and sensual encounters with the former love. Finally, the story ends inside the gravediggers’ trailer where the secrets are revealed.

Check out the film’s trailer:

‘Zift’ plays SXSW on Friday, March 13th at 11:59PM at Alamo Ritz 1 and Thursday, March 19th at 11:59 PM at Alamo Ritz 1.

For more information on ‘Zift’, check out the film’s official site.