LOGLINE

A Bulgarian woman, Sophia, goes through a heavy drama while divorcing her husband in Norway, who reports her to the child social welfare service Barnevernet, who place their kids in foster families. She’s forced to restrain her hypersensitive personality in order to fit in a foreign society and win back her kids.

Synopsis

Sophia, an artistic Bulgarian, is going through a divorce with her husband Rune in Norway, because he can’t stand her hypersensitivity. The court rules that the kids spend equal time with both parents. Sophia is more affectionate and the kids, refuse to spend time with their father. Embittered, he reports the mother to Barnevernet. The social services start evaluating the family. One morning, they enter the home, with police, take the children and put them in foster families. Sophia is faced with the dilemma of how to act to win her kids back.

She undergoes a series of obstacles and internal conflicts in a painful effort to change. Then she gets a new lawyer.

Director’s Statement

A poetic film…

What motivated me to want to make this film? The story is based on the real fate of a Bulgarian woman in Norway, and her encounter with the child welfare agency Bernevernet. Many of our fellow compatriots in European countries have experienced similar cases and fates, so we believe this is a subject that’s worth paying attention to. Under no circumstance is this a film directed against the child welfare service, as it is beneficial for the children in need of help.

I want this to be a film about passion and sensitivity, the emotional rollercoaster of this artistic soul, and the journey of transformation she undergoes in order to win her kids back.

I imagine a chamber, psychological film, which lets the viewer dive into the inner world of our main character, Sophia. The camera and action are wholly focused on her, her actions, decisions and experiences. We’re completely tuned in to the emotions she’s forced to go when confronted with the reality of losing her children.

Short Bio of the director

KUTSY VAPTSAROV is a Bulgarian film director, born in 1963. In 2008 he directed “WELCOME TO EARTH”, 26 min – winner – “best short”, Philadelphia Independent Film Festival 2008, USA. He has also directed: 2009 – “Immortality in Ancient Egypt” – 26 min., Documentary, 2007 – “Prayer” – 6 min,  2006 – “God Takes Care of Everyone” – 26 min.

He has a great experience as TV producer, bringing to the screen big international formats.