VASIL

Vasil (Ivan Barnev) is a Bulgarian immigrant who has travelled to Spain to find work and a new life. His skills at chess and bridge lead to Spanish acquaintance Alfredo (Karra Elejalde) offering Vasil a place to stay until he gets his working papers and a new job. An offer which upsets Alfredo’s family.

The subject of immigrants is a very divisive one in today’s society. First time feature director Avelina Prat treats the subject with humour and empathy, presenting a more balanced view than can be found in the rhetoric of modern media. Buoyed by an extremely likeable central performance, this is a warm and engaging story of a man with many talents, chief of which is the ability to bring out the best in others.