‘Black Money For White Nights’: First Trailer for Karlovy Vary Competition Title

Why It Matters

As a festival competition title, the film signals Karlovy Vary’s appetite for politically and socially provocative cinema; its focus on race and private corruption could spark industry and critical attention ahead of wider distribution. The trailer’s striking tonal mix suggests potential awards traction and conversation among buyers seeking bold, topical European auteur work.

Summary

The first trailer for Karlovy Vary competition entry "Black Money For White Nights" teases a tense, provocative drama that mixes classical music performances with charged family interactions. Short, fragmented scenes show a sibling trio performing Tchaikovsky, applause and sudden exclamations—“Oh my God, those are black”—paired with a line about being fed “white nights” for 30 years. The trailer hints at themes of race, familial discord and possibly illicit finances or moral compromise, using music and sharp dialogue to unsettle the viewer. Its fragmented, elliptical editing foregrounds character conflict over exposition.

Original Description

Screen can unveil the first trailer for 'Black Money For White Nights', set to have its world premiere in competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF).

The film is directed by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, who won KVIFF’s top prize in 2019 for 'The Father'.

'Black Money For White Nights' follows a couple who lose all their savings in a travel scam, and their broken dream forces them to confront the comfortable lies they’ve lived by.

The cast comprises Tanya Shahova, Ivan Savov, Margita Gosheva, Ivan Barnev and Sibila Petrova.