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A Conversation with “Women Do Cry” actor Maria Bakalova & co-directors Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova. [SXSW Film Festival]

By Thomas Manning on March 11, 2022 • ( 0 )

In this conversation, EoM contributor Thomas Manning speaks with Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova and co-directors Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova about their film Women Do Cry, which is screening at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival. During this discussion, the team talks about their passion for exploring urgent social issues through the lens of cinema, and the filmmaking processes of tackling such material. And, Bakalova speaks to some of the parallels between her experience on Women Do Cry compared to her work on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

“Women Do Cry” co-director Vesela Kazakova.

“Women Do Cry” co-director Mina Mileva.

If you prefer an audio edition, you can listen to this interview here:

Official Synopsis:

Academy Award® nominee Maria Bakalova (BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM) stars as a young woman with HIV in this feminist critique of modern Bulgarian society. With her life turned upside down, Sonja (Bakalova) turns to her sister Lora (Ralitsa Stoyanova) and the women in her family for support. Each faces her own struggle against the inherent misogyny and homophobia present in all their lives. A rallying cry from acclaimed directing duo Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova (CAT IN THE WALL; UNCLE TONY, THREE FOOLS AND THE SECRET SERVICE), this explosive drama took its inspiration from Kazakova’s own family of strong women.

Screening during the 2022 SXSW Film Festival.

SXSW Screening Information:

* Saturday, March 12th, Screening @ 12:45pm at Violet Crown Cinema 2

* Saturday, March 12th, Screening @ 1:15pm at Violet Crown Cinema 4

* Sunday, March 13th, On-line Screening @ 9:00am

* Monday, March 14th, Screening @ 2:00p at Alamo Lamar C

* Monday, March 14th, Screening @ 7:30p at Alamo Lamar C

For more information, head to the official Women Do Cry website or SXSW webpage.

Thomas Manning is a member of the NCFCA and SEFCA, and also the co-host of the television show and radio program “Meet Me at the Movies.” He has served as a production assistant and voting member on the Film Selection Committee for the Real to Reel Film Festival. He is currently studying film, television, and English at Gardner-Webb University.