Cinelibri Burgas: Film Festival with Franz Kafka and Other Films

Burgas is preparing to welcome fans of the seventh art with a new edition of the "CineLibri" International Film Festival in October. The festival, which will begin in 2025, promises a rich program of films, showcasing a variety of genres and cinematic techniques.

The opening of the festival is planned for October 18 at the Center for Contemporary Art and Library with a screening of the film "Franz". The film, dedicated to the life and work of the emblematic writer Franz Kafka, will immerse viewers in a world of contradictions and quests. The film follows the main moments of Kafka's life, including his strained relationship with his father, his friendship with Max Brod, and his complex love affairs. Directed by Agnieszka Holland, the film promises an emotional and deeply human experience that reveals the genius seeking ordinariness in an extraordinary world. The Czech-Polish-German-French-Turkish production from 2025 is a biographical drama with a runtime of 127 minutes and is in Czech with Bulgarian subtitles. The cast includes Idan Weiss, Karel Dobrý, Peter Kurt, Juraj Loj, Karol Šuler, Sebastian Schwarz, Katharina Stark, Genevieve Bojková, and others.

The festival program includes screenings at the two main locations - the NHK Cultural Center and the Center for Contemporary Art and Library, from October 18 to 26.

Among the highlights of the program is the adaptation by director François Ozon of Albert Camus' novel - "The Stranger". Viewers will be able to enjoy this cinematic masterpiece on October 24 at the NHK Cultural Center. On the same day, but on October 22, the new film by Paolo Sorrentino - "Forgiveness" - will also be screened there.

The festival will also offer comedy dramas, such as "Mom and the Miracle of Life". The film, starring Sylvie Vartan, which caused a sensation in France at the beginning of the year, tells a touching story about a mother's devotion. Leïla Bekhti plays the main role in this cinematic gem about the unwavering devotion and determination of a mother to help her son lead a fulfilling life. The film will be presented on October 20 at the Center for Contemporary Art and Library.

Cinema lovers will also have the opportunity to enjoy other titles, such as "Three Farewells", "Personal Life", "Love is Madness", "The Kremlin Magician" and "The Richest Woman in the World".

"Three Farewells" is a drama directed by Isabel Coixet, which will be presented on October 19. The film tells the story of the teacher Marta and her partner Antonio, who live in Rome. After a trivial argument, a separation occurs between them. The Italian-Spanish production from 2025 has a runtime of 120 minutes and is in Italian with Bulgarian subtitles. The cast includes Alba Rohrwacher, Elio Germano, Francesco Carill, Silvia D'Amico, Galatea Bellugi, and others.

"Personal Life" will be presented on October 21. The French crime drama tells the story of psychiatrist Lilian Steiner, who investigates the death of her patient, convinced that it is a murder. Rebecca Zlotowski is the director of the film, which has a runtime of 100 minutes. The cast includes Jodie Foster, Daniel Auteuil, Virginie Efira, Mathieu Amalric, Vincent Lacoste, Irène Jacob, and others.

"Forgiveness" is another highlight of the program. Director Paolo Sorrentino offers a story of love, forgiveness, and reckoning, which takes place in Turin. Toni Servillo plays the main role. The Italian drama with a runtime of 131 minutes will be screened on October 22.

"Love is Madness" is a comedy about the thoughts of Piero and Lara after their first meeting. The Italian comedy will be shown on October 23.

"The Kremlin Magician", a political thriller directed by Olivier Assayas, presents the young Russian director Vadim Baranov, who becomes an advisor to Vladimir Putin. The film is a production of the US, UK, and France from 2025 and will be screened on October 25.

The festival ends with "The Richest Woman in the World", a drama inspired by the story of Liliane Bettencourt. The film, directed by Thierry Klifa, tells the story of three people seeking love.