Kamen Kalev
Encyclopedia
Kamen Kalev is a Bulgarian film director and screenwriter. Kalev came to prominence in 2009 with the film Eastern Plays
, earning him numerous international film awards as director and screenwriter.
After graduating a highschool in his hometown Bourgas, Kamen Kalev spent two years in Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts
in Sofia, Bulgaria, studying at first photography, and then switched to cinematography. During his sophomore year he continued his education in moviemaking in the French state film school La Fémis
in Paris. Kalev graduated Le Département Image
in 2002.
In 2005 and 2007, along with co-author Dimitar Mitovski, Kamen Kalev presented two short films at the Cannes Film Festival
––Get the Rabbit Back and Rabbit Troubles.
, had its premiere on 6 October 2009 in Burgas, and was first shown at the Sarajevo Film Festival
. It was the first Bulgarian film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival
since 1990. The film participated in the Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight's official selection. Although it did not win an award, the film gained high praise and the afterwards received many awards from international film festivals, becoming one of the most awarded Bulgarian films.
As well a screenwriter and director of Eastern Plays
, Kamen Kalev co-produced the movie along with Stefan Pirjov through their partnership production company Waterfront Film. Other film production houses that co-produced the movies were 'Chimney Pot', the Swedish 'Film i Väst
' and 'Art Eternal' (Bulgaria).
In the summer of 2010 Kalev started work on his second feature film, which he wrote, produced and directed. Initially the production was referred under the working title 'The Island', later changed to 'Leaving Together'. The shooting started at the St. Anastasia island in the Black Sea
, the main cast of the movie starring the French super-model Laetitia Casta
, filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky
and the Scandinavian actor Thure Lindhardt
.
Eastern Plays
Eastern Plays is a 2009 Bulgarian drama film. The feature-length debut of young Bulgarian director, La Fémis graduate Kamen Kalev, Eastern Plays features Hristo Hristov, Ovanes Torosyan, Saadet Işıl Aksoy and Nikolina Yancheva...
, earning him numerous international film awards as director and screenwriter.
After graduating a highschool in his hometown Bourgas, Kamen Kalev spent two years in Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts
Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts
The Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts is an institution of higher education based in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria...
in Sofia, Bulgaria, studying at first photography, and then switched to cinematography. During his sophomore year he continued his education in moviemaking in the French state film school La Fémis
La Femis
La Fémis , is the French state film school. FEMIS is an acronym for Fondation Européenne pour les Métiers de l’Image et du Son. Based in Paris, it offers courses balanced between artistic research, professional development and technical training...
in Paris. Kalev graduated Le Département Image
La Femis
La Fémis , is the French state film school. FEMIS is an acronym for Fondation Européenne pour les Métiers de l’Image et du Son. Based in Paris, it offers courses balanced between artistic research, professional development and technical training...
in 2002.
Early works
As an author of short films, Kamen Kalev participated in numerous movie competitions and film festivals, earning some international recognition. He is also the author of more than sixty music videos and commercials.In 2005 and 2007, along with co-author Dimitar Mitovski, Kamen Kalev presented two short films at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
––Get the Rabbit Back and Rabbit Troubles.
Feature Films
Kalev's first feature film, Eastern PlaysEastern Plays
Eastern Plays is a 2009 Bulgarian drama film. The feature-length debut of young Bulgarian director, La Fémis graduate Kamen Kalev, Eastern Plays features Hristo Hristov, Ovanes Torosyan, Saadet Işıl Aksoy and Nikolina Yancheva...
, had its premiere on 6 October 2009 in Burgas, and was first shown at the Sarajevo Film Festival
Sarajevo Film Festival
The Sarajevo Film Festival is the premier and largest film festival in the Balkans, and is one of the largest in Europe. It was founded in Sarajevo in 1995 during the siege of Sarajevo, and brings international and local celebrities to Sarajevo every year. It is held in August and showcases an...
. It was the first Bulgarian film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
since 1990. The film participated in the Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight's official selection. Although it did not win an award, the film gained high praise and the afterwards received many awards from international film festivals, becoming one of the most awarded Bulgarian films.
As well a screenwriter and director of Eastern Plays
Eastern Plays
Eastern Plays is a 2009 Bulgarian drama film. The feature-length debut of young Bulgarian director, La Fémis graduate Kamen Kalev, Eastern Plays features Hristo Hristov, Ovanes Torosyan, Saadet Işıl Aksoy and Nikolina Yancheva...
, Kamen Kalev co-produced the movie along with Stefan Pirjov through their partnership production company Waterfront Film. Other film production houses that co-produced the movies were 'Chimney Pot', the Swedish 'Film i Väst
Film i Väst
Film i Väst is a film company located in Trollhättan, Sweden, founded in 1992. Lars von Trier used its facilities in his movies, such as Dogville and Manderlay.-Walk of Fame:...
' and 'Art Eternal' (Bulgaria).
In the summer of 2010 Kalev started work on his second feature film, which he wrote, produced and directed. Initially the production was referred under the working title 'The Island', later changed to 'Leaving Together'. The shooting started at the St. Anastasia island in the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
, the main cast of the movie starring the French super-model Laetitia Casta
Laetitia Casta
Laetitia Marie Laure Casta is a French model and actress.-Early life:Laetitia Casta was born in Pont-Audemer, Normandy, France. Her mother, Line Blin, is from Normandy. Her father, Dominique Casta, is from Corsica. She has an older brother, Jean-Baptiste, and a younger sister, Marie-Ange...
, filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
and the Scandinavian actor Thure Lindhardt
Thure Lindhardt
Thure Lindhardt is a Danish actor, educated at the drama school at Odense Theater in 1998....
.
Short Films
- 'Never Stop'
- 'Orpheus'
- 'Maltonius Olbren'
- Get the Rabbit Back'
- Rabbit Troubles'
Feature Films
- 'Eastern PlaysEastern PlaysEastern Plays is a 2009 Bulgarian drama film. The feature-length debut of young Bulgarian director, La Fémis graduate Kamen Kalev, Eastern Plays features Hristo Hristov, Ovanes Torosyan, Saadet Işıl Aksoy and Nikolina Yancheva...
' (2009) - 'Leaving Together' (The IslandThe Island (2011 film)The Island is the second film of young Bulgarian director Kamen Kalev. It is a Bulgarian-Swedish production telling the story of a young Parisian couple spending their vacation on a small island off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast...
, 2011, in production)
Awards
- Tokyo International Film FestivalTokyo International Film FestivalTokyo International Film Festival is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biannually from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter...
2009- Award for Best Director
- Warsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film FestivalWarsaw International Film Festival , also known as the Warsaw FilmFest, is a film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland. The festival has been held every year since 1985....
2009- 1-2 Competition Award (competition for directors' first and second feature films)
- International Film Festival BratislavaInternational Film Festival BratislavaThe International Film Festival Bratislava is an international film festival established in 1999 and held annually in Bratislava, Slovakia....
2009- Best Director
- Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Kamen Kalev)
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film FestivalLas Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film FestivalThe Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival is an international film festival that is held in Las Palmas in the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The festival takes place every year...
2010- Best First Time Director