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He is the living legend of Bulgarian cinema. The first film he directs is called On a Small Island and today this has a symbolic sounding. Because Rangel Valchanov himself remains a lonely island of talent and beautiful craziness in Bulgarian cinema – he has been awarded dozens of prizes but still often remains uncomprehended. Some of his pictures are ahead of their times. They bear philosophical and aesthetic tendencies which remained unappreciated at their appearance. And years later they still have a modern sounding. Such is the fate of his incredible debut, On a Small Island, the class of which equals the best works of the Polish School or the Czech Wonder. In Bulgaria, however, the communist regime bans it on ideological grounds. The regime's position changes only when the film gains international acknowledgement – awards at festivals in Prague and Melbourne. His anti-war The Sun and the Shadow also enjoys great world success and is awarded prizes in San Francisco and Los Alamos (USA), Karlovy Vary, Moscow, Melbourne, Cannes. Rangel Valchanov's non-conformist, uncompromising cinema, however, continues vexing the communist authorities. Thus, after creating such films as The Inspector and the Night, The Bitch-wolf and Aesopus, the director is forced to move to and work in the Czech Republic. There he shoots Chance (1970) and Face Under Mask (1971) – works original in terms of message and form, appreciated by few specialists. In those films Rangel Valcahnov is again ahead if his time – just as it will happen in 1983, too, when in Bulgaria he creates Last Wishes dedicated to the insanity of war. 'A pillow can be a religion, too', Rangel Valchanov likes saying and defends this, at first glance, strange statement of his with a unique theory. His own religion is cinema, though – simultaneously funny and sad, real and surreal, sñeptic but also romantic. And very, very deep. Among director's best films rank also The Detective and the Forest (1975), With Love and Tenderness, Where Are You Going?, Where Do We Go From Here?. And his life's masterpiece, his confession, The Unknown Soldier's Patent Leather Shoes. With this work of his, coloured in wisdom and fantasy explosions, director proves his mastery and artistry on a world scale. It is curious to know that he wrote the script for this film as early as 1962, but was not allowed to realise it by the authorities at the time. Member of the European Film Academy, Rangel Valchanov was elected Number 1 film director in XX century by his Bulgarian colleagues. His reaction is the following: 'Art that wins honours loses its honour'. One thing is for sure: he has never lost his honour – neither professionally, nor in his public demeanour. And never in his life has he been unfaithful to those innermost things shaping the main themes in his films – love and freedom..jpg)
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