Without Borders

Otkradnati Ochi / Stolen Eyes

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In the late 1980s the Bulgarian government forced the country's Turkish minority to change their names, forbade them to speak Turkish and banned them from wearing their authentic clothes. As a result, Turkey had to close its borders to stop the massive influx of refugees. Otkradnati Ochi (Stolen Eyes) follows two very different destinies that cross paths in the midst of this conflict when Ivan, a young Bulgarian soldier falls in love with the strong-willed Ayten, who insists on keeping her Muslim identity. Ayten and Ivan meet when Ayten tries to steal some official seals, thinking that this way she can slow down the oppression. Their unexpected and unusual meeting brings these two characters together and makes them feel close, forcing Ivan to make a fateful decision—he must either "rename" Ayten or face the consequences. They gradually overcome their animosity, accept their differences and draw towards each other. But will the people around them accept their choice? Screenwriter Neri Terzieva says: “The most important thing in the film is their love, which endures despite the societal cataclysms brought about by the misguided decisions of the state authorities and politicians. Our desire in making this film was to heal the wound, not to open it back up.”

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