The Goat Horn (1972)

'Kozijat rog' is a brutal and gripping revenge drama from Bulgaria. Based upon Nikolay Haitov's short story 'The Goat Horn', the film is set in the 17th or 18th Century when Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire. The opening credits warn that the movie starts with an eruption of violence and so it does. A shepherd's wife is raped and murdered by a gang of four intruders in front of their little daughter, Maria. Raising her as a boy and training her to kill in cold blood, the shepherd plots to avenge his wife's horrific death.As his daughter blossoms into womanhood, thoughts of violence gradually leave her being as she yearns that her scarred heart may experience the gentleness and compassion of love. Maria's awakening and romance with a young shepherd displays a gentleness that is at odds with her father's destructive quest for revenge.Director Metodi Andonov sets the scene in a disrupted landscape of spartan pastoral simplicity that at first seems somewhat off-putting in its sheer rawness. The fact that he and his team managed to weave a narrative from this simplicity that builds and builds to such an involving level of lyrical potency says wonders for them as film-makers.The second half of 'Kozijat rog' contains some of the most riveting tragedic cinema I have ever seen. The performances of Katya Paskaleva and Anton Gorchev are mesmerising in their slow-burning level of intensity. This one is a haunting masterpiece that drew me in more and more with every passing minute and, ultimately, left me astounded as to its simple yet heart-breaking power. It is a movie that, I think, compares very favourably with Bergman's memorable 'Jungfrukallen' from 1960, and that is high praise indeed. This is a draining and moving gem to watch and a film whose primeval imagery sticks in one's mind.

No point for me to go into the plot with all the other comments. This is an exceptional film that delivers on many levels. There is a minimum of dialog and the story is told through realistic action and expression. The acting is so good you can feel what the characters are thinking with hardly a word spoken. The cinematography is at times stunning and always very appropriate for the story. There are moments of visual poetic beauty coupled with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. It's a story of power and oppression, of anger and revenge. The stage is set during the time of Turkish rule over Bulgaria. It has the depth of a Shakespearean drama, yet the film is a testament to simplicity.To those who have seen the film there is so much that can be said, but for newcomers it's best to let the film tell the story. The layers of meaning are forcefully and gently revealed. I rate this as one of the great film masterpieces. It is a shame that it has not received a wider international audience. It is unheard of in many parts of the West, but it has all the hallmarks of a classic. I hope that someday this film will be available at DVD sales and rental shops in Western Europe, the Americas and Asia. It deserves to be there. It deserves to be viewed in film schools, universities and art schools around the world. This film has been available in Bulgaria in a DVD limited edition.

"Kozijat Rog" is by far the best Bulgarian film ever made.It has all the characteristics of greatness: a story that lacks nothing of the dramatic depths of classical tragedy; a frugal style of visual narrative that is both monumental and subtle; acting that is as good as real-life; and last but not least - music that is impossible to forget."Kozijat Rog" is conducted in the ways of old - with the power and gentleness of a true master. And although color loses its saturation with the passing of time, this film will not, for it is shot in black-and-white.

I could never imagine some months ago,that a Bulgarian movie I saw a night that I didn't have something more interesting to do,would make me admire it so much,so that I could definitely say that it is a masterpiece of the European cinema ever made. No special effects,no impressive decoration.Just a plain composition but also a genius one. The wife of a farmer is being raped and murdered by a gang,in front of the eyes of her little daughter. The farmer hungry for revenge brings the girl up as a boy, and when she is old enough they kill one by one the killers. This movie is a hymn to simplicity.No dialogs when it is not necessary,full of primitive feelings with perfect harmony between actors and natural location.Excellent!!!!!!!!