Film Review | "Nina Roza"
A Quebec/Bulgarian gem celebrated at the Berlinale

At the 76th Berlinale, Quebec director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles' second feature film brought an authentic and moving touch to the festival's official competition.

At the 76th Berlinale, Quebec director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles' second feature film brought an authentic and moving touch to the festival's official competition. Nina Roza touched the jury, chaired by Wim Wenders, so much that it awarded her the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. Nina Roza tells the story of Mihail, who is tasked with traveling to Bulgaria, his country of origin, to verify the authenticity of the work of a young prodigious painter, Nina. As he sets foot on Bulgarian soil for the first time in twenty years, he is confronted with family issues he had put aside all these years, and with this brilliant young girl who reminds him terribly of his own daughter, Roza (Rose in Quebec). Without a doubt, the film's screenplay is its strength and what set it apart from the other films in competition. However, we find that this is not the only interesting aspect, and that the cinematography, acting, and music brilliantly support the script.

Capturing an authentic moment

The first element of the film that caught our attention was the cinematography. Nina Roza uses light and color to her advantage to construct a distinct visual world. Each room, and even each scene, is characterized by a particular light that amplifies the emotions of the characters and those conveyed by the story. For example, a warm orange color and rays of light are used in flashbacks showing Mihail, the young Roza, and her mother before she dies. Thanks to the cinematography, we can feel the happiness and comfort experienced by the characters, and we better understand how deeply Mihail must have been affected by his wife's death. Another example is the use of fire to illuminate Nina at the end of the film, making the scene particularly powerful. During a masterclass given to students at Collège de Maisonneuve and Cégep de Saint-Laurent, the director told us that this shot was filmed on the spot, capturing an authentic moment experienced by the actress. This proves that sometimes the least prepared scenes become the most powerful. The second striking element of this film is the incredible acting. No actor is an exception. The character of Mihail, played by Galin Stoev, is a very withdrawn person. This role is full of subtleties in emotions and facial expressions, and Stoev pulls it off brilliantly. The Stanina twins, two actresses who, each in their own way, were able to show two sides of little Nina, namely a more tender and melancholic side, and another more angry and explosive side. For their age, around seven at the time of filming, it is a wonderfully successful performance. All the actors, including Michelle Tzontchev as Rose and Christian Bégin as Mihail's boss, are extremely talented and their performances are flawless.

The third element that impressed us during our viewing at the Berlinale is the film's magical soundtrack. This nostalgic story is interspersed with traditional Bulgarian songs that reinforce the film's touching side. The song sung during the scene around the fire is magical, as the villagers are non-actors who did it simply for the pleasure of singing together. It is a symbiotic moment that works very well with the character of Mihail, who is reconnecting with his culture.

Nina Roza is a story that stands out for its sensitivity and the gentleness it brings. It is a feel-good film, whose message goes beyond the issues faced by the main character. It is also about family, roots, culture, and hope. The magnificent images, the performances of excellent Bulgarian and Quebec actors, and the captivating soundtrack perfectly accompany the well-written screenplay. It is a very important story in this day and age, when immigrants are, in some countries, treated poorly. The fact that most of the actors are immigrants or children of immigrants shows how important it is not to forget all those who feel they are not being listened to, especially those who have left everything behind in search of a better life.