19/09/2022 - Discovered by the film team, young non-professional newcomer Vesela Vulcheva is taking on a lead role

Director Milko Lazarov on the set of The Herd (© Yana Lozeva)

After the internationally acclaimed movies Alienation [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Milko Lazarov
film profile] and Ága [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Milko Lazarov
film profile], Bulgarian helmer Milko Lazarov is now shooting his third feature The Herd, once again backed by Bulgarian production company Red Carpet, with 42film (Germany) and Amour Fou Luxembourg (Luxembourg) acting as co-producers. As per his previous works, Lazarov has chosen a remote setting for his film, with the villages of Karlukovo and Kamenno Pole - situated in the decaying north-western reaches of Bulgaria - serving as his main locations. Shooting on 35mm film kicked off on the 29th of August in the region of Lukovit city and will continue for 31 days.

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Cineuropa talked to producer and editor Veselka Kiryakova who provided a few insights into the process: “We’ve got several really difficult locations up on the rocks, which are inaccessible by car, so all of our equipment has to be carried up to the set by the crew”, she explained. “We’re also working with children and animals, which is always very challenging”.

The script, written by Lazarov himself, alongside Ekaterina Churilova and Simeon Ventsislavov (Directions [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Stephan Komandarev
film profile], Ága, Rounds [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Stephan Komandarev
film profile]), focuses on Ali, his daughter Tarika, and her grandmother Chrysula, who are leading an isolated life in a village hut near the border. Tarika suffers from a rare bone malformation known as "butterfly wings", an abnormality passed down through the maternal line. Despite having lived in the area for a long time, enjoying a peaceful and harmonious relationship with their neighbours, the family have always been seen as strange. And then, out of nowhere, the animals in the village are struck down by disease, the river dries up, and sick boy Nikola dies after befriending Tarika. Driven by xenophobia and superstition, the villagers become increasingly suspicious and decide to deal with this unusual family themselves.

Lazarov has once again opted to work with his long-term DOP partner Kaloyan Bozhilov, while thirteen-year-old newcomer Vesela Vulcheva plays the part of Tarika. The remainder of the cast are yet to be announced.

The Herd is funded by the Bulgarian National Film Center, MDM, ZDF/arte, Film fund Luxembourg and Eurimages, with an overall budget of approximately €1,500,000.