At this year’s São Paulo Film Festival, we are excited to highlight “A Hundred Dollars Bill,” a Bulgarian short film directed by Momchil Ap. Karamitev. The film tells the story of a retired violist who, while walking her dog one morning, finds a $100 bill in the garden. Believing this money will change her life for the better, she discovers that the bill is fake, leading to a profound reflection on values and expectations.
The idea for the film came about in an unusual way. The script’s author, now sadly deceased, presented the story to Karamitev, who was immediately struck by its surprising twist. Learning that the screenplay was based on a true story added a layer of motivation, fueling his enthusiasm for the project.
At this year’s São Paulo Film Festival, we are excited to highlight “A Hundred Dollars Bill,” a Bulgarian short film directed by Momchil Ap. Karamitev. The film tells the story of a retired violist who, while walking her dog one morning, finds a $100 bill in the garden. Believing this money will change her life for the better, she discovers that the bill is fake, leading to a profound reflection on values and expectations.
The idea for the film came about in an unusual way. The script’s author, now sadly deceased, presented the story to Karamitev, who was immediately struck by its surprising twist. Learning that the screenplay was based on a true story added a layer of motivation, fueling his enthusiasm for the project.
The production faced significant challenges, especially after the sudden passing of the scriptwriter. Karamitev described feeling like a car without an engine, disoriented for a while. However, his determination to honor his friend’s memory pushed him to continue, supported by a small but dedicated crew.
The film’s cinematic style was inspired by Fernando Meirelles’ “Blindness,” a choice that influenced both the visual and narrative approach of “A Hundred Dollars Bill.” The main message Karamitev aims to convey is that money is not everything in life, a lesson underscored by the protagonist’s frustrating discovery.
An intriguing aspect of the film is that the main character is played by a real musician, not an actress, who coincidentally shares the same first name as her character. This choice adds authenticity to the performance and strengthens the emotional connection between art and real life.
With cinematography by Kaloyan Bozhilov and a soundtrack composed by Antoni Donchev, “A Hundred Dollars Bill” offers a rich and reflective experience, highlighting the importance of small discoveries and the profound lessons that can arise from unexpected situations.
Title: A Hundred Dollars Bill
Director: Momchil Ap. Karamitev
Writer: Sergei Komitski
Cast: Boyana Detelinova as “Mrs. Atanaska”, Boyana Petkova as “The Blind Girl”
Cinematography: Kaloyan Bozhilov
Music: Antoni Donchev
Country: Bulgaria
Director Biography – Momchil Ap. Karamitev: Momchil Karamitev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, to two actors. He received his film director training in Rome under professors Angelo D’ Alessandro, Piero Spilla, Giuseppe Marrama, and Massimo Mida. After graduating, Momchil began his career as an assistant director in various national and international film productions. His directorial credits include the documentary films “Apostol Karamitev” and “Trace Our Ancestors in Occitanie”. His latest project, the live-action short film “$100 (A Hundred Dollars Bill)”, written by Sergei Komitski, serves as a precursor to his upcoming feature film endeavor.
Great article about my new short in 2024 – THANK YOU!