Byalata staya (1968)

Psychological drama. A critical situation confronts the individual with a plethora of moral, social and political problems.

Director:

Metodi Andonov

Writer:

Bogomil Raynov (novel)

Stars:

Apostol Karamitev, Elena Rainova, Dorotea Toncheva

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Apostol Karamitev	...	Petar Aleksandrov
Elena Rainova	...	Rina
Dorotea Toncheva	...	Aleksandra
Konstantin Kotsev	...	Vasil Radev
Georgi Cherkelov	...	Stoev
Milena Andonova	...	Golyamata dashterya na Aleksandrov
Nevena Andonova	...	Malkata dashterya na Aleksandrov
Stoyanka Mutafova	...	Maykata na Rina
Ilka Zafirova	...	Meditzinskata sestra
Georgi Kaloyanchev	...	Kloun
Neycho Popov	...	Bubi
Grigor Vachkov	...	Kloun
Georgi Popov	...	Doktorat
Nikola Anastasov	...	Dirigent na orkestara
Ani Damyanova	...	Maykata na Aleksandrov

Storyline

The scientist Alexandrov is seriously ill. In his white hospital room he recalls his experience tries to put his confused thoughts in order. His memory takes him back to an evening spent in the company of his friends Bubi and Rina. He can hear her cynical confession: man cannot live by fine ideals alone. His colleague Vasil,who has come to visit him in hospital, interrupts his thoughts with a gossip about office intrigues. Alexandrov remembers the unpleasant conversations he has had with a dogmatist Stoev about his book on the psychology of the emotions. He recalls Stoev's misrepresentation of the work of Freud. He has had to choose between steering clear of controversy or fighting the dogmatists. Stoev fades out of Alexandrov's memory and gives way to recollections of Sashka. She was his student, sweetheart, wife and mother of his two daughters. ButSashka is dead, only his memory of her live on. Vasil's visit breaks the stream of visions: Alexandrov's book has been turned, down after...

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Bulgaria

Language:

Bulgarian

Release Date:

18 October 1968 (Bulgaria)

Also Known As:

A fehér szoba

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boyana Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

The tragic price of compromise and indifference

Through the life and the academic career of the psychologist Peter Aleksandrov (brilliantly interpreted by Apostol Karamitev) the film examines important problems in Bulgarian society during the sixties. In the loneliness of a white hospital room, almost entirely isolated from the outside world, the protagonist relives the crucial moments of his past: the deprivation-filled years of the resistance struggle, the tempestuous love affair of his university years, his chance marriage, the conflict at his office, in the scientific community and his personal life. In the face of death he is anxiously reviewing the road he has traveled, he is searching for the meaning of his contradictory life. In the process he touches on questions of loyalty to one's ideas and friends, on the tragic price of compromise and indifference. The film does not offer any soothing illusions but calls for a struggle aimed at asserting social and moral norms of conduct. Though The White Room was Metodi Andonov's feature film debut, it won him recognition as one of the best Bulgarian directors.