site.btaLudmil Todorov’s "The Love Summer of a Schlep" Among Bulgaria’s Finest Films, Celebrates 35 Years

The Love Summer of a Schlep, a landmark Bulgarian film directed by Ludmil Todorov, is among the top 10 Bulgarian films, according to BTA’s LIK magazine Editor-in-Chief Georgi Lozanov. Lozanov’s video address is set to be broadcast on Friday in the park of the seaside resort of Shabla, Northern Bulgaria, the very location where the film was shot 35 years ago.

In the video message, Lozanov describes the film as “born on the border between two eras,” capturing the perspectives of those times and their opinions of one another. He underscores the film’s cultural significance, noting that in a generation devoid of literary manifestos, cinema assumed that function. “There were three films, Pieces of Love by Ivan Cherkelov, Running Dogs, and The Love Summer of a Schlep by Ludmil Todorov, that shaped the choices of the last generation of communism,” Lozanov explains.

Highlighting Todorov’s artistic impact, Lozanov praises his empathetic portrayal of individuals and small, internally emigrated communities. “Todorov’s cinema is a conversation about people and the way they experience themselves,” he says in the video address. According to Lozanov, The Love Summer of a Schlep stands out as the most complete manifesto of these generational communities and their worldview.

Concluding his remarks, Lozanov reflects on Todorov’s enduring legacy, saying, “Ludmil Todorov, one way or another, mainly through his art, is the better person in each of us.”

The 35th anniversary event in Shabla promises to honour the film’s lasting influence on Bulgarian cinema and culture.

Ludmil Todorov was one of the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian film makers and writers, he left an impressive legacy of novels, short story collections, films and film scripts.

Born on January 12, 1955 in the northern town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, Todorov studied at the English-language high school in Ruse. In 1982, he graduated in film directing from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts.

As a filmmaker, he wrote and directed the films Migration of the belted bonito (2012), Seamstresses (2007), Emigrants (2002), Two Men Out of Town (1998), Emilia's Friends (1996), The love summer of a schlep (1990), Running Dogs (1989), and Colours in the Dark (1987). As an actor, he appeared in Love Pieces (1989), Measure for Measure (1981), Zhivot do poiskvane (1987), and At Every Kilometre (1969-1971).

The Love Summer of a Schlep received the Grand Prix in Turin and the Special Jury Prize in Montevideo. Emilia's Friends was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize in Thessaloniki. Emigrants received the Audience Award at Sofia International Film Festival.

His first collection of short stories, Loosing Winnie-the-Pooh, was published in 1988. Todorov is the author of two collections of short stories and five novels, including A Barge in the Desert (2013) and A Summer Dissembled (2014). 

His selected short stories were published in English in 2021 by Accents Publishing, USA.

In 2013, he received the Hristo G. Danov literary award for A Barge in the Desert. In 2016, he received the Golden Quill Award for his contribution to Bulgarian culture and art.