Women Do Cry, 2022.
Directed by Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva.
Starring Maria Bakalova, Vesela Kazakova, Iossif Surchadzhiev, Diana Spasova, Bilyana Kazakova, Dobriela Popova, Rositca Gevrenova, Ralitsa Stoyanova, and Katia Kazakova.
SYNOPSIS:
A family full of women in a society where “gender” is not a familiar word.
Based on real-life interactions and stories from writers and directors Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva (penning the script alongside Bilyana Kazakova), Women Do Cry functions as a scathing commentary on various inequalities in Bulgaria. Explored is mistreatment against individuals testing HIV positive, modernized discussions of gender, misogyny, and power dynamics, all as a family tries to face the different forms of oppression they endure daily while coming together stronger than ever. Controversially, this family is nowhere near as progressive as they think, sometimes coming across as homophobic, with one character giving misguided, selfish advice towards a trans character. One would hope the filmmakers and actors themselves don’t seriously think this way and instead try to paint a messy, authentic portrait of the country’s underdeveloped values.
Putting aside the problematic aspects, the majority of the narrative falls on the shoulders of Sonja (a striking dramatic turn from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm‘s breakout comedy star Maria Bakalova), recently diagnosed as HIV-positive. Surprisingly, she’s more concerned about what this means for her sex life as she is surviving. And there’s a chance she might not survive because she refuses to get treatment, instead opting for a somewhat incomprehensible religious journey hoping to be cured. There are also scenes of misogynistic gynecologists launching into a judgmental frenzy, refusing to give Sonja medical support. It also makes for one of the most emotionally charged scenes of the movie, as Bakalova heads toward a mental breakdown (one that is laced with anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that, again, one can only hope is a case of questionable writing and not genuine disdain).
Subplots within the family involve Aunt Veronica (screenwriter Bilyana Kazakova) suffering from postnatal depression (including one highly disturbing scene that practically makes her character irredeemable), a couple pushing back against bigoted protests, and the various methods of abuse everyone faced growing up around a nasty grandfather that they hide the HIV news from out of certainty that he will get the man responsible killed. It’s easier just to describe the film as an onslaught of mixed messaging.
Women Do Cry is also a bit of a rambling and occasionally poorly edited narrative that’s definitely trying to take on too much, but it is full of justified anger (and sometimes not so justified). Nonetheless, it’s worth watching to be enlightened (although considering everything going on in the movie, it makes one wonder if this is even an accurate depiction of Bulgaria) and bask in a livewire Bakalova. However, her outstanding presence is not enough to overcome some of the bad taste the movie leaves.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
