The famous Bulgarian director Hristo Hristov has passed away at the age of 81 on Tuesday.
Hristov was one of the most significant figures in Bulgaria's film making industry. He was the first Bulgarian director, who was chosen to become a member of the European Film Academy.
His movies have left a deep mark in the Bulgarian cinematography and many young directors are following his art steps. When he made his first movie, "The Icon Stand" in 1969, Hristov had already worked as a doctor; he had staged operas and had won numerous theatrical awards.
He was awarded the Golden Rose Award for his "Anvil or Hammer" in 1972, which was dedicated to the proletarian leader Georgi Dimitrov. His social drama "A woman at 33" was slammed by political censorship and public reprobation.
His "The Icon Stand" and "The last Summer" won the best foreign director's movie in Atlanta in 1974.
Some of his other famous films are "The Double Noose", "Tree without Roots", "The Barrier", "The Truck" and " The Cyclope".