The Roma tradition of making a living on dancing bears has gone

from father to son for more than a thousand years. In 2000, the

animal rights organizations Vier Pfoten and the Brigitte Bardot

Foundation decided to end this tradition in Bulgaria. Stefan Dimov

Ivanov is one of the last »mechkar«, a profession that has now come

to an end. This film tells the story about him and his companion

Stefka, the bear, during their last days together.

 

With the threat of confiscation and his wife Ivanka needing treatment

for cancer, Stefan saw no other choice than giving up his bears to the

organization. Stefka was the one closest to his heart. »- The bears

were a part of our family, like our daughters. And Stefka is special.

She is the most beautiful and popular amongst artists.« This film

follows Stefan during his last month as a »mechkar«. His thoughts

about Brigitte Bardot, democracy in Bulgaria and his life with the

bears is carried through in the narration. It’s a personal portrayal

of Stefan, his family and the bears who have supported them.

But it is also a film which emanates from the relationship between

Stefan and the filmmaker Albin Biblom.

​

Directed and filmed by: Albin Biblom

Sound: Svetoslav Stefanov Dimov

Edited by: Thomas Lagerman
Sound mix: Anders Nyström

Translated by: Bo Lundgren

Language: Bulgarian Subtitles: English 
Technical data: s-16mm, colour, 29min.
Production: Jenny Örnborn and Göran Olsson, Story AB
With the support of Hjalmar Palmgren, Swedish Film Institute

and Joakim Strand, Film i Skåne.