Watch The Good Postman

The Good Postman is a Bulgarian documentary film from 2016, directed by Tonislav Hristov. The movie tells the story of a small village, located on the Bulgarian-Turkish border, called Bribrinoste, which has almost become a ghost town as a result of the outflow of young people seeking for their fortune in the city. The leading character of the story is Ivan, a retired postman who decides to run for mayor in the upcoming local elections. His motivation is to revive the village and bring new life to the community. The main idea behind his campaign is to turn Bribrinoste into a shelter for Syrian refugees. Ivan sees the refugees as an opportunity to breathe new life into his village and repurpose abandoned buildings for use by the newcomers. This campaign ignites a debate in the village, leading to an intense conflict between Bribrinoste's inhabitants.

The Good Postman tells the story of the election campaign through Ivan's eyes. Ivan is a humble, well-meaning person who genuinely cares about his village and its inhabitants. He sees the refugees as a hope for a brighter future and a way to revitalize the village. The villagers, on the other hand, are divided. Some see the refugees as a threat to their way of life, while others see them as an opportunity for growth.

The movie is shot in a beautiful manner, capturing the picturesque nature of the village and its surroundings. The interviews with the villagers provide an insight into their daily lives and their attitude towards the refugees. There are touching moments in the film, such as when the refugees share their heartbreaking stories of fleeing their war-torn homeland in search of a better life.

The Good Postman also manages to capture the more mundane aspects of the election campaign. Ivan goes house to house, talking to the villagers, and listening to their concerns. He tries to convince them to vote for him, explaining his plan to rejuvenate the village with the help of the refugees. The election campaign process seems very grassroots, very local, and very authentic.

The documentary also presents a striking contrast between the problems in the village and the global issues of migration and human rights. The refugee crisis, which is a central theme of The Good Postman, is not just an issue in Bribrinoste – it is a problem that affects the entire world. The conflict between the locals and the refugees becomes a microcosm of the larger problem.

The Good Postman is a film that feels both timely and out of time. On one hand, the refugee crisis is an ongoing issue, and the documentary's message of compassion and understanding is incredibly relevant. On the other hand, the village setting of the movie, with its simple way of life, feels like a throwback to a bygone era. The movie retains a timeless quality, thanks to its beautiful cinematography, simple narrative, and uncomplicated storytelling.

In conclusion, The Good Postman is a beautiful and heartfelt documentary that tells a story of compassion, humanity, and our constant search for a better life. Ivan's battle for the mayoral seat is a fight not just for the future of his village but the future of humanity. The movie is well worth watching, not just for its message but for its beautiful presentation of a little-known area of the world. The Good Postman is an essential film for all audiences and a testament to the power of human empathy.

The Good Postman is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.