Simon vs. Fear: The Varsano Case

He is a medical photographer, a water polo competitor, a romantic, a favorite of women. Overnight, he becomes a prisoner with his legs shot, an enemy of the regime, a victim of political police. This nightmare remained in the 1980's before the Berlin Wall's collapse. Now for Simon Varsano everything will re-erupt, along with a video from the Communist State Security archives. A meeting with the past and a clash again: Simon versus Fear. The clash of one person, photographer Simon Varsano, with the communist State Security system, told in a very personal way by director Georgi Tenev.

Directed by Georgi Tenev, Simon vs. Fear: The Varsano Case leans on a strong ensemble — Vesela Babinova, Simon Varsano, Penko Gospodinov — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2018.