Grandmother Zorka, or "Baba" Zorka as she is known at home in Bulgaria has a story to share. It is a painful story that a nurturing, loving, and hospitable mother bravely tells. In this documentary she graciously opens her modest home and also her heart to introduce us to her family and the overwhelming grief brought on by 8 years of unjust imprisonment, ridiculous accusations, inhumane torture and the bleakest of futures for her daughter and son-in-law. Christiana and Zdravko are medical professionals and while working in Libya were unjustly accused of infecting hundreds of small children with the AIDS virus. Many medics were imprisoned and later released including Zdravko. 8 years on Christiana and 4 of her co-worker countrywomen remain behind bars and are currently sentenced to death. This unjustifiable ordeal has caused Baba Zorka immense pain and endless tears, and though powerless, she refuses to give up hope.
This documentary was created as part of the International Documentary Challenge 2007. It was entirely conceptualized, filmed and edited in a 5 day period between the 1st-5th of March 2007. Principal photography took place in Sofia, Bulgaria downtown with interview with Baba Zorka in Nadejda suburb of Sofia. Stock footage from Libya was provided by several media partners.
