The action takes place in the last years of the Second World War, immediately before the socialist revolution in Bulgaria. It centers on the life of the middle-class family of Lazarov, which is torn by the sharp political contradictions taking place against the background of the popular struggle against fascism. The father Vitan goes through terrible mental traumas, which are the price, he has to pay for his illusions that in such clashes one can remain neutral and free from politics. The partisans execute the son Boris - a fascist officer, a sadist and a murderer. The daughter Lily is forced to search for her place in the conflict between the representatives of two hostile worlds - that of fascist brother and her husband - a communist and a revolutionary.

Anthology film based on six short stories by writer Elin Pelin. At the end of a market day, Stoyan learns that after ten years of marriage he has a son. Leaving the inn with his wife Penka, they find a baby girl thrown into their cart. There is no end to the poor man's joy. She too will be raised. Drought kills the land and the people. Grandfather Korchan and Lazar Dabaka decide to build a windmill. Lazar and his bride are traveling by cart to visit their godparents. They spend an unforgettable night under the starry sky.

The tranquility in a Bulgarian village under the Ottoman yoke is ostensible. In fact, the people prepare themselves strenuously for an uprising. The educated part of the population desperately wants changes. The enthusiasm is enormous, but the rebellion is beyond their powers. The Turk break down the resistance and shed a lot of blood. The sanguinary uprising is the reason for the Russian-Turkish war, in which the Bulgarian volunteers take part as well. Written by Georgi Djulgerov {major@bitex.com}

Heroes of Shipka was the first solo effort for Soviet director Sergei Vasilyev, who had previously collaborated with his late brother Georgi. As head of the Leningrad Film Studios, Vasilyev was obliged to traffic in propaganda, but he never forgot how to make his material entertaining. The film is set in 1887 during the pivotal battle between the Russians and the Turks at the Shipka Pass. Stressing the solidarity of the Soviet states, tribute is paid to the courageous Bulgarian volunteers who helped the Russians fend off their mutual enemy. American critics were impressed by Heroes of Shipka, but felt that the film would have been twice as effective had it been lensed in Cinemascope rather than "standard aspect."