This Valentine’s Day, while love might be the prevailing theme, Berlin is set to be captivated by something far more complex and unsettling: Lust, a coming-of-mid-age psychodrama that delves into the fragile boundaries of control and intimacy. But here's where it gets controversial—what happens when the very systems meant to maintain order become the source of chaos? In Ralitza Petrova’s latest film, a parole officer’s meticulously controlled life unravels after her long-absent father’s death, forcing her to confront unresolved debts, bureaucratic inertia, and a body in decay. And this is the part most people miss: the film uses Shibari, a Japanese rope bondage practice, as a metaphor for controlled vulnerability, where intimacy is negotiated rather than given. Is this a bold exploration of human connection or a provocative commentary on societal constraints? You decide.
Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival’s Forum program on February 16, Lust follows Petrova’s critically acclaimed debut, Godless, which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 2016. The film stars Snejanka Mihaylova as Lilian, a woman whose clinical precision in life is upended by a journey back to her hometown. As she navigates offices, hotel rooms, and abandoned spaces, the film charts her descent into proximity with grief, flesh, and long-suppressed desires. The inclusion of Shibari adds a layer of complexity, inviting viewers to question the nature of control and vulnerability in relationships.
Petrova draws from deeply personal experiences, explaining, ‘In 2016, my father passed away—someone I barely knew. What followed wasn’t conventional grief, but the mourning of an absence already present.’ Lust emerges from this void, framing what’s missing and how it lingers. Conceived as a psychodrama blending mystery, fantasy, and ghost story, the film doesn’t aim to resolve absence but to explore how it disrupts control and, paradoxically, creates openings. Bold question: Can absence ever truly be filled, or does it forever reshape our understanding of self and connection?
Produced by Aporia Filmworks in Bulgaria, in collaboration with Screening Emotions, Denmark’s Snowglobe, and Sweden’s Silver Films, Lust received backing from the Bulgarian National Film Center, Danish Film Institute, Film I Vast, and Eurimages. Inwave Films handles international sales. The exclusive trailer, premiering here, offers a glimpse into the film’s restrained yet powerful exploration of trauma, emptiness, tenderness, and austerity. Handle with care—this isn’t just a film; it’s an invitation to confront the unsettling spaces within ourselves. What do you think? Is Lust a masterpiece of emotional depth, or does it tread too far into uncomfortable territory? Let’s discuss in the comments.
