IN HELL WITH IVO

Bulgaria, USA | 2025| 80 min | col. | English, Bulgarian

Ivo – to be pronounced ˈaɪvō or else it will sound like ‘evil’ – is a Bulgarian queer singer who emerged on the international scene with a peculiar mix of style and content, that is, his crooner-like voice sings explicit and transgressive lyrics, which is scandalous in his homophobic country. During the pandemic, Ivo faced the risk of performing 400 concerts for free in the homes of ordinary people. Kristina Nikolova’s film alternates footage of these moments of great spontaneity and scenes from the eccentric artist’s private life. Filmed in absurd circumstances – possibly the most congenial to him – it proves that Ivo tackles all kinds of situations with great courage, openly and fearlessly. We are left with a dilemma, “In Hell with Jesus or in Heaven with Trump?” A quiet dialogue is established between the exuberant performer and the film director. Ivo pushes toward exhibitionism, whereas Nikolova is inclined toward an intimate approach. The film's climax is a striking and unforgettable showdown between Ivo and his conservative parents. (E.S.)