Film Screening & Discussion. “Morality is Goodness”

Please join the Bulgarian Consulate in New York, the East Central European Center, and the Harriman Institute for a screening of Morality is Goodness, followed by a hybrid discussion with director Veselin Dimanov and Professor Mila Ganeva, Miami University, Ohio. Moderated by Valentina Izmirlieva.

The film “Morality is Goodness” follows the life path of legal scholar and public intellectual Prof. Christian Takov against the background of historical events of the last decades in Bulgaria. Professor Takov has been one of the most prominent figures in rule of law debates in Bulgaria and has drawn on his research and ideas to reflect on the relationship between morality and the law. His work and public statements shone a merciless light on the challenges encountered on the path to establish rule of law, but also gave hope to those who treasure democracy.

The film presents numerous painstakingly researched and previously unpublished archival footage and documents, as well as a series of interviews with the family, colleagues, friends and collaborators of Prof. Takov. Taken together, they successively build the image of the famous lawyer, intellectual and public figure and open a door to his world.

Despite its positive message, the documentary has faced obstacles in distribution in Bulgaria. It has been refused by some film distribution companies and a university, which later agreed to screen it after public pressure. As a result, the film has been mainly distributed through private initiatives in Bulgaria and around the world.