The Black Sea

The Black Sea is such a perfect indie gem! It's about a Black man who finds himself in Bulgaria and has to navigate this totally unexpected situation. The story is funny, touching, and so well-acted. The characters feel super real, which makes it easy to get invested in their lives. It never feels cliché, although it can be a little slow moving at times.

I'm also pretty sure this is the director's first movie, and honestly, he he did a pretty amazing job. I watched it in New York, and the director was there afterwards to hang out and talk about the film. You could really tell how much heart he put into it.

Definitely worth watching!

The Black Sea is a refreshingly heartwarming cinematic gem, anchored by the charismatic Derrick B. Harden. He brilliantly portrays Khalid, a Brooklyn dreamer hilariously stranded, penniless, in a small Bulgarian town by the Black Sea. What unfolds isn't a struggle, but a charming, often funny, and deeply touching journey of unexpected human connection.

Harden's magnetic performance brings an infectious optimism that lights up the screen, as Khalid effortlessly bridges cultural divides and forms genuine friendships. The film beautifully celebrates finding joy in simplicity and the surprising kindness of strangers. It's a powerful reminder that even when things go wonderfully wrong, you might just find exactly where you belong. "The Black Sea" is a genuinely uplifting and feel-good watch!

Well, I disagree with everyone else.

This is one of the worst movies I've seen in my life. I am a Bulgarian. Literally just vacationed again in Sozopol 2 weeks ago. Our daughter who was with us was telling us about the movie, while we were eating some of the black ice cream you see in the beginning of the movie.

The only way to enjoy the movie is to see how badly is made - story, acting, continuity errors, lack of logic, the "discovery" of the cheese-chushka Princesa... When we were in High School (still communist Bulgaria times) we wrote 2 plays which the school did not allow us to play. They were as bad, but still had more sense. The acting was probably the same level.

I feel bad for the people of Sozopol who apparently took role in the movie - one of our best friends is from there and we know the family.

Again - watch it if you are in a mood to laugh how bad film-making can be.

P. S. Also a Japanophile and teaist - 14 trips to Japan to enjoy and purchase matcha. The matcha part was just another nail in the coffin of absurdity. And I don't mean the good one you got from Sartre, Camus and Vian.

The Black Sea" is a refreshingly heartwarming cinematic gem, anchored by the charismatic Derrick B. Harden. He brilliantly portrays Khalid, a Brooklyn dreamer hilariously stranded, penniless, in a small Bulgarian town by the Black Sea. What unfolds isn't a struggle, but a charming, often funny, and deeply touching journey of unexpected human connection.

Harden's magnetic performance brings an infectious optimism that lights up the screen, as Khalid effortlessly bridges cultural divides and forms genuine friendships. The film beautifully celebrates finding joy in simplicity and the surprising kindness of strangers. It's a powerful reminder that even when things go wonderfully wrong, you might just find exactly where you belong. "The Black Sea" is a genuinely uplifting and feel-good fantastic watch! Can't recommend enough!

The Black Sea is about a Black man from Brooklyn who goes to Bulgaria on a one-way ticket to be a sugar daddy for an older woman. But when she unexpectedly dies, he's left stranded and has to figure out how to make a life for himself. At first, he just scrambles to get by, taking whatever work he can find, but over time, he starts chasing the dreams he never got the chance to pursue back home.

I loved how real and grounded this movie felt. The main actor was incredible-he brought so much depth and charisma to the role that I couldn't stop rooting for him. The story balances being funny, heartfelt, and serious really well, and it feels like something that could actually happen.

It's also one of those movies that stays with you because it's not just about survival; it's about transformation. By the end, you really feel like the character has gone on this amazing journey-and you've gone with him.

Highly recommend checking it out. I hope we see more from this director and actor because they're both super talented.