The World Is Big And Salvation Lurks Around The Corner (Stephan Komandarev 2008, Bulgaria)

Reviewed by Ben Williams, at the 25th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Talk about filming man, here is a film that is by far one of the best films that has been shown during this film festival.  The World is Big and Salvation lurks around the corner may have a title that can overwhelm anyone, but don’t let that fool you this film shouts the words of exitement and leads the viewer on a journey of self-discovery and rememberance.

Sashiko (Carlo Ljubek) the main character loses both his parents in a terrible car accident  on his way to visit his granparents in Bulgaria.  As a result Sashiko suffers amnesia and is unable to remember anything about himself.  Sashiko’s Grand Father Bai Dan (Miki Manojlovic) is instantly notified of the accident and rushes to see Sashiko at the hospital in Germany. At first Sashiko doesn’t recognize his grandfather but over time, he learns to trust Bai Dan and agrees to journey with him back to Bulgaria to help Sashiko revive his lost memories.

The main theme self discovery, is dominant throughout the entire film.  And is shown through flashbacks of Sashiko as young boy.  One particular  moment of the theme of self discovery is dominant during a flashback when Bai Dan and Sashiko are playing backgammon, and rolls an unfavorable dice and show that he has a small fear of losing the game.  Bai Dan reassures him that “life is like the dice in your hand and everything you do after that is a matter of luck and skill, it your roll master.”  Many of the trials that Sashiko and Bai Dan go through in the rest of the movie reflect the theme of self discovery.

One tool that the director used to represent this theme is color.  Color shows significance when Sashiko is taking the journey with Bai Dan though the Germany to get back to Bulgaria.  as they are about to leave on this journey Sashiko is wearing a dark blue shirt showing the audience  how empty he feels still feels inside without his memories. While his grandfather is wearing green.  But as time goes on Sashiko is wering green as well.  This light nature like green gives the impression that Sashiko is having an open mind about this and is actually trying to regain his memories.

This film overall is one of the best film that i have seen and will leave anyone who watches it with smiles and laughes.