Just another lazy Sunday in Sofia, we decided to get out of the house and headed to the city center, stopping in the Russian Church for a quick look around. As we emerged a line of cars came whizzing around the corner, down the block toward the Presidency. All of a sudden what clearly sounded like automatic gunfire erupted!! I have to admit to being a little freaked out. Some other bystanders appeared ruffled too, but many folks seemed remarkably calm, as if this was just one of those things that can happen. I admit to being new to Bulgaria but still there must be more to the story, right?
Not trusting (or knowing enough) Bulgarian, I urged my husband to ask someone what was happening. “They’re filming a movie,” the man told us. Wow, big relief to know the world had not turned sinister and dangerous with no warning. Now the blocked off street and cluster of people and trucks in the distance made perfect sense. Turns out we and many others had stumbled upon a film crew working on action shots with civilian and military cars, gunfire and at least one bullet ridden costume with blood stains. A member of the crowd, maybe she was one of the crew, told us they are making “Universal Soldier” but none of the big stars are on location today. Later the ticket seller at the Ethnographic Museum, backdrop to much of the action, told us it is a Jean Claude Van Damme movie.
We joined the crowd watching them set up the next shot, got shooed back out of harm’s way numerous times, and did see one more exciting take with the gunfire ringing out. In the meantime we chatted with one of the actors, watched the crew get multiple cameras rigged into an SUV, including one held-held by a guy strapped to the roof, and generally took in the movie-making magic. With my costume background, I enjoyed watching the wardrobe person on set using a public telephone for her costume rack and helping the actor in the bullet-ridden jacket make a nice, smooth pony tail - just another day at the office. While in the museum we heard the shots again but by now we were old hands on the set so we took little notice.
Back home I googled the movie title and Jean Claude Van Damme only to discover that this is at least the third in a series of “Universal Soldier” movies and much anticipated by fans. What fun to be there. I only hope Sofia doesn’t end up on the cutting room floor!
how exciting! And what a treat for someone with your background, as if there was a request on your name!
If you get a chance to study Bulgarian costume, I’d love to hear about it when you get back to Maine. There’s an active group of International Folkdancers in the Portland area, and we do a lot of Balkan dance. Mary Beth