Heights (2017)

Heights feels special because it treats a pivotal chapter of Bulgarian history not like a dusty lesson, but like a living, breathing adventure—one where ideals collide with fear, ego, and darkly funny human survival instincts. Set against sweeping landscapes and rendered with a confidence you can see in every frame, it’s an ambitious, handsomely made film that pulls you into the 1870s with the urgency of a thriller and the ache of a drama. The performances ground the grand historical stakes in intimate, believable emotion, so even if you don’t know the names or the politics, you’ll understand what’s being risked. If you’re allergic to period pieces or prefer your comedies broad and breezy, it may not be your tempo—but for anyone on the fence, this is one of those rare national epics that earns its reputation as a modern Bulgarian standout.

Heights is clearly aiming for something big: a sweeping, distinctly Bulgarian look at the 1870s revolutionary movement, mixing period drama with rough-edged humor and a coming-of-age mission story. The problem is it can feel like it’s constantly changing its mind about what kind of film it wants to be, lurching between tones and set pieces without a clean narrative through-line. The pacing is another hurdle, with long stretches that drag or feel oddly pointless, building toward a finale many viewers find overlong and messy rather than satisfying. If you’re here for a tight historical thriller or a coherent, emotionally driven drama, this may test your patience—but if you’re willing to ride out the chaos for atmosphere, ambition, and the occasional payoff, there are moments that might land.