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Original Film Title: Wedlock
Director’s Name:Magdalena Ralcheva
Writer’s Name: Magdalena Ralcheva
Producer: Magdalena Ralcheva
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Country of Filming : Bulgaria
Language: Bulgarian
Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes
Film Description:
On the threshold between the 19th and 20th centuries in the Rhodope Mountains, the orphaned Meto falls in love with the wayward and charismatic Hattë, the daughter of the wealthy Sharko. Adil, the harsh uncle, raised the boy. Bosha, a folk healer and Meto’s confidant serves as their go-between. On her wedding day to an unwanted bridegroom, Hattë runs away with Meto. At the sight of the enraged wedding guests, Metto is frightened and runs away. Adil takes responsibility and announces that he is the man she ran away with. After a fight with the groom, Hattë decides to stay with Adil.
Twelve years later, the once wild boy is a settled man with a cobbler’s workshop and a family. However, the possibility of being killed in the upcoming war, leads him to cheat on his wife and try to see the love of his life once more, before the mobilization.
Having come up with the idea of a few-day visit, Meto realizes that he cannot part with Hattë. She pushes him away, making it clear to him that he is unwanted and that she respects her family commitment. Motto remains nonetheless. Circumstances weave an unusual love triangle of love, hate and mutual dependence. The three begin to live together.
Adil’s death leaves just the two of them. At Hattë’s insistence, the two moved to live elsewhere, away from the shadow of the deceased. They throw a wedding just for two, and this time everything seems happy. The two begin to live as husband and wife in a world that is harsh in both nature and custom.
A messenger arrives from the city, sent by Meto’s wife. She wants to know if he is alive. Meto gives a clear sign that he has made his choice: he prefers to be dead for his family and stay with Hate until the end of his days…