Smart nyama

This movie clearly distinguishes itself from other Bulgarian motion pictures of the period by the speed with which the story is told. Peter Slabakov and Medi Dimitrova are incredible - one of the best duos on the theme of impossible love. There are magnificent shots in the otherwise harsh environment of a dam construction site - you wouldn't normally think of pouring muddy water as "beautiful", but the cameraman makes magic with the two colours at his disposal. The characters are full-blown and, uncharacteristically for the era (remember, it's the 60s behind the Iron curtain) the antagonists are not painted in all black - instead they are human creatures with their own problems, fears and hopes. It was banned by the regime because of its earnest exposure of reality.

If you could watch only one Bulgarian movie then this is the one. Were it though available on DVD...