User reviews

We saw Yassen Grigorov's Lilly the Little Fish twice since its release in Sofia on 9 February 2018 and we, children and grown-ups alike, loved it. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first Bulgarian children's cinematographic film in at least a quarter of a century and, in my opinion, it has been well worth the waiting.

The most obvious thing about this film is that it is beautiful. Beauty is everywhere. In the close focus on the brilliant children actors, the fantastic artwork in drawings, costumes, properties, locations, exterior and interior of buildings, augmented reality, animation, gimmicks and special effects. The meticulous attention to detail and overall stylization of the film's world, as well as the beautiful photography, is remotely reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Wes Anderson, but to everyone who knows Yassen Grigorov it is immediately evident that we are invited inside the imagination of the Bulgarian writer, illustrator, creative artist, and film director.

Beauty is by no means scattered chaotically throughout the film - on the contrary, it is ordered painstakingly into cohesive and coherent structures of meaning. Shapes, colours, patterns, symmetries repeat in fractal fashion and arrange into a bigger picture - the picture of the world seen through the eyes of a child.

Yet another dimension of the beauty of Lilly the Little Fish is the score by Victor Stoyanov. It is in total harmony with the whole production - elegant and transporting, without drawing too much attention on itself.

The cast is impressive. The film features many famous Bulgarian actors, e.g. Tatyana Lolova, Nikolai Urumov, Koyna Ruseva, Stoyan Radev, Kalin Sarmenov, who are wonderful, but I was moved the most by the absolutely fabulous performances of children actors - Boyan Grigorov, Kalina Asenova, Darina Doseva and Kaloyan Minchev, as well as by less-familiar-to-Bulgarian-audiences, Plovdiv theatre actor Dobrin Dosev.

So far, it must have become clear that Lilly the Little Fish speaks to us in many languages: beautiful design, music, acting - but all this rests on the strong foundations of a good, well developed story. Considering that today good screenwriting is a rarity, this is yet another reason to congratulate Yassen Grigorov, who is not only the director, but also the author of the screenplay. Even if we strip off all the audiovisual art, Lilly the Little Fish will still make a great piece of literature. Appropriately, the film foregrounds storytelling by using almost uninterrupted voice-over narration from the beginning to the end. This not only amplifies the overall sense of childhood memory, but also allows the clear and unambiguous delivery of the author's message.

This leads to the second, less obvious but no less important, thing about Lilly the Little Fish - it is a truly brave film. It clearly takes the children's side against the inconsiderate, undignified, distrustful treatment they often receive from their parents, from schooling and health care institutions. It dares to suggest that for all our progress and apparent care, we are still failing our children - we are failing to really understand them, accept them for what they really are, love and trust them unconditionally.

Now, this touches a raw nerve, at least in Bulgaria, because the question of how we treat our children, at home and as a society, seems to be a question people try to avoid at all cost. They classify such questions as personal or a matter of tradition, pretend everything is fine, and become very angry and uncomfortable when someone tries to talk about them.

A very clear indication of this was the attack on Lilly the Little Fish in certain media immediately after its premiere. Critics manipulatively misinterpreted some of its innocent and well-meaning stereotypical oppositions to dismiss the film as gender-bending, tradition-breaking, gypsy-glorifying, etc. This development coincided with a misguided public debate in Bulgaria about the Council of Europe's Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, where ratification was officially put off due to concerns about the definition of gender and its relation to traditional values.

In reality, both intentionally misplaced reactions cover up deeper fears from opening up Pandora's box of domestic relations and the deeper attitudinal problems underlying education and health care failures. But, as Lilly the Little Fish clearly indicates, fear breeds distrust - distrust in oneself and distrust in others - which prevents us from moving forward, from safely looking posterity in the eye.

Step into the magical world of "Lilly the Little Fish," where innovation meets imagination, and director Yassen Grigorov takes you on a visual journey, unlike anything you've experienced before. This Bulgarian masterpiece breaks free from the ordinary, inviting us into the depths of Grigorov's mind and leaving us in awe of his creativity.

From the moment it graced the silver screen, "Lilly the Little Fish" captured hearts with its unique storytelling and breathtaking cinematography. It transports us back to our childhood, reminding us of the joy and wonder we once knew, while simultaneously challenging us to reflect on our roles as parents in today's fast-paced world. Grigorov's film is a thought-provoking gem that speaks to the minds of the contemplative viewer.

The craftsmanship displayed in "Lilly the Little Fish" is simply astounding, rivaling the works of masters like Scorsese's "Hugo." The film's stunning visuals, masterful editing, and captivating music combine to create a symphony of cinematic excellence. It's an Oscar-worthy endeavor that could easily stand among the finest productions if it were an American release.

If you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing "Lilly the Little Fish," I implore you to dive into its world of imagination, magic, and adventure. Don't be afraid to let yourself be swept away by its enchantment.

It's disheartening to see this remarkable film receive a rating below 8. Often, those who criticize without watching the movie betray their own ignorance. What kind of person judges a book by its cover? Such behavior baffles me.

Unfortunately, "Lilly the Little Fish" faced unfair attacks from certain Bulgarian media outlets, accused of propaganda. It's a sad reflection of our world when a film crafted with pure heart and love is subjected to baseless criticism by those who fail to grasp the essence of cinema. They have forgotten the beauty of childhood and lost touch with their own imagination. In these moments, I hang my head in shame, contemplating the hurdles Bulgarian cinema must overcome to flourish and compete on a global scale. These criticisms serve as cautionary tales, discouraging future filmmakers from embracing their true selves and exploring the limitless boundaries of their imagination.

But let me assure you, "Lilly the Little Fish" deserves far more than it has been given. It stands as a unique testament to the power of true cinema. I, for one, was captivated by its spell. As a connoisseur of movie posters, I must commend the stunning artwork that accompanied the film's release. The cast's performances are awe-inspiring, leaving no room for critique.

If you're a lover of visionary cinema, "Lilly the Little Fish" is an absolute must-see. Embark on this unforgettable voyage and let your senses soar on the wings of creativity. Prepare to be enchanted and inspired, for this film is a rare gem in the sea of mainstream offerings.

We saw Yassen Grigorov's Lilly the Little Fish With family and friends and we all enjoyed the film very much. It is fresh and unique and the child actors are great!

Would highly recommend to anyone with children to watch together as a family.

Magical story that will melt your heart with first minute of watching. It look like it is for children, but actually at the same time it is for adults. Even this is a quite new genre for the Bulgarian Kino the result is pretty good. I like it! Oh, and Imdb, why I can't write on Cyrillic? You know they are many other languages besides English.