Maria Bakalova

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In this Eastern Slavic naming convention, the patronymic is Valcheva and the family name is Bakalova.
Maria Bakalova
Мария Бакалова
Bakalova Paris Fashion Week (cropped).jpg
Bakalova at Paris Fashion Week, 2021
Born
Maria Valcheva Bakalova

(1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 (age 25)
Burgas, Bulgaria
Alma materNational Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (BA)
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active2017–present
AwardsFull list

Maria Valcheva Bakalova[a] (/bəˈkɑːləvə/ bə-KAH-ləvə;[1] born 4 June 1996) is a Bulgarian actress. She gained international recognition for her role as Tutar Sagdiyev in the 2020 mockumentary Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. For her performance, she won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress and received nominations at the Academy Awards, the BAFTA Film Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Born and raised in Burgas, Bakalova began her career in Bulgarian cinema by starring in film productions while attending the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia. She appeared in films such as Transgression (2017), The Father (2019) and Last Call (2020). Since her international breakthrough in 2020, she has been a part of several major productions and is set to appear in Judd Apatow's The Bubble, the slasher film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and Dean Craig's The Honeymoon.

Early life and education[]

Bakalova was born on 4 June 1996 in Burgas, Bulgaria.[2] She is the only child of Rumyana Bakalova and Valcho Bakalov.[3] Bakalova began singing lessons and playing the flute around age six.[4] She expanded into acting at the age of 12, majoring in drama theater and minoring in flute at the National School of Music and Stage Arts in Burgas, where she was a straight-A student: "I was a super-disciplined child. I was reading too many books. I was obsessed with Dostoyevsky, at like 15, 16."[5]

Bakalova later moved to Sofia where she majored in drama at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts.[6] She has credited filmmakers Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, who taught the only film acting class at the Academy, for what she has learned about movies. Bakalova volunteered to help the directing duo with scheduling and other tasks, and traveled with them to the set of a film they were working on so that she could watch and learn. In her third year at the Academy, one of the directors invited her to audition for a small part in their movie The Father. She landed the part and filmed a brief flashback scene as the young version of the wife. The Father was selected as the Bulgarian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.[5] As a student, Bakalova also appeared in various stage productions such as Les liaisons dangereuses, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Kennedy's Children and The Trial, among others.[7][8] She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[9]

A few months before graduating, Bakalova convinced her parents to take her on a trip to Denmark: "I was looking at what was happening in Scandinavian cinema [...] and I was obsessed with Danish cinema: Thomas Vinterberg, Lars von Trier, all of the Dogme 95 films." Bakalova visited the headquarters of von Trier’s production company, where she asked to be a P.A. or a runner on his next film; she recalls: "They said, 'You would have to learn Danish,' and I was like, 'Okay, I'll do it.'"[10]

Career[]

2017–2020: Early roles[]

Bakalova on the set of Last Call, 2019

Bakalova made her movie debut as Milena in the 2017 comedy-drama sequel XIIa. In the same year, she starred in Transgression, where she played Yana, a young girl who has an unusual relationship with an aging rocker.[11] The film was premiered in Europe in 2018, and had its official worldwide release on HBO in 2021.[12] In 2018, Bakalova won best actress at Toronto’s AltFF Alternative Film Festival for her role in the movie.[13] In this period, she also starred in multiple short films such as Angels, Due to Unforeseen Circumstances and Dream_Girl, and played a minor role in The Father.[14] She next starred in the 2020 comedy-drama Last Call as Alexandra, a girl who is on the verge of ending her life. Bakalova’s performance in the film was received positively by critics; Yanko Terziev of Capital wrote that "[she] brings warmth and lyricism" to the movie.[15]

2020–present: International breakthrough[]

Bakalova was cast as Tutar Sagdiyev in the mockumentary Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, the daughter of fictional Kazakh reporter Borat Sagdiyev. Although initially credited as Irina Nowak, reports later revealed her involvement.[16][17][18] Fellow Bulgarian Julian Kostov connected her with casting director Nancy Bishop for the role; she and Kostov are now producing partners.[19][20][5] Critics have praised Bakalova's performance, with some stating it as one of the year's best. Matt Fowler of IGN stated how "[t]he film's fantastic find, Maria Bakalova, every bit Sacha Baron Cohen’s on-screen equal, is who, and what, most people will be talking about in the wake of [the film]."[21] Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang described Bakalova's performance as "terrific", praising her portrayal of her character's journey "with madcap energy and touching conviction".[22] For her performance, Bakalova received several awards, winning the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress.[23] She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globes.[24][25][26][27] She is the first Bulgarian actress to be nominated for these awards.[28] In November 2020, it was reported that Bakalova had signed with Creative Artists Agency.[29]

In 2021, Bakalova starred in Women Do Cry, which revolves around a family of women united by a shared trauma who confront the family patriarch’s troubling past, against the backdrop of anti-Istanbul Convention protests in Bulgaria.[30] The film premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where it competed in the Un Certain Regard section.[31] The same year, she joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a member of the Actors Branch.[32]

Upcoming projects

Bakalova will star alongside Karen Gillan, Fred Armisen and Pedro Pascal in Judd Apatow's new comedy film The Bubble about a group of actors trying to finish a film in the pandemic.[33] In April 2021, she was cast in A24's slasher film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, also starring Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson.[34] In August 2021, it was announced that Bakalova had been cast as the lead in Dean Craig's upcoming rom-com The Honeymoon, which she is also set to produce.[35][36]

In March 2021, Bakalova announced that she and her producing partner Julian Kostov were in the early stages of developing a historical drama miniseries with the working title Freedom or Death, based on the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War, in which Bulgaria gained independence.[37]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2017 XIIa Milena
2018 Transgression Yana
2019 The Father Young Valentina
2020 Last Call Alexandra
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Tutar Sagdiyev
2021 Women Do Cry Sonja
TBA The BubbleIndicates a film that has not yet been released TBA Post-production
TBA Bodies, Bodies, BodiesIndicates a film that has not yet been released TBA Post-production
TBA The HoneymoonIndicates a film that has not yet been released Sarah Post-production

Awards and nominations[]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Maria Bakalova

Bakalova is the recipient of a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020).[23] She has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes Awards, also for her performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020).[24][25][26][27] Her other accolades include numerous critics associations awards.

Notes[]

  1. ^ Bulgarian: Мария Вълчева Бакалова, romanized: Mariya Valcheva Bakalova, IPA: [mɐˈrijɐ ˈvɤɫt͡ʃɛvɐ bɐˈkaɫovɐ].

References[]

  1. ^ As pronounced by Bakalova in the following: Maria Bakalova on the Rudy Giuliani and baby scenes in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. British GQ. 5 April 2021. Event occurs at 0:01. Retrieved 5 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ Nolan, Emma (22 October 2020). "Who is Maria Bakalova? Borat's Daughter in Rudy Giuliani Hotel Scene". Newsweek. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. ^ Nathan, Sara; Milic, Hannah (24 April 2021). "The wild story of how Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova got her 'Borat' role". Page Six. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  4. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (November 11, 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Breakout Star of the Borat Sequel". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (2 February 2021). "Maria Bakalova's Journey From Burgas to 'Borat' & Living the Dream She'd Given Up". Deadline. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  6. ^ Oré, Michella (22 October 2020). "Who Plays Borat's Daughter?". Glamour. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  7. ^ Vatsova, Vladislava (6 February 2021). "Мария Бакалова още в НАТФИЗ импровизира - за това умения я номинираха за "Златен глобус"". 24 Chasa (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  8. ^ "NATFA 2019 Bulletin" (PDF). NATFA (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  9. ^ Freeman, Abigail; Lotto Persio, Sofia (8 April 2021). "Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2021". Forbes. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  10. ^ Hess, Liam (13 April 2021). "Maria Bakalova Is More Than This Year's Oscars Underdog". Vogue. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  11. ^ Lynch, David (23 November 2020). "Maria Bakalova Is the Borat Sequel Breakout, but Transgression Showed What She Can Do". Paste. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Bistra (10 May 2021). "'Трансгресия': докъде сме готови да стигнем от любов". Momichetata (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  13. ^ Molloy, Tim (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Actress Who Plays Borat's Daughter". MovieMaker. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  14. ^ Welk, Brian (6 January 2021). "'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Says Getting Cast in Bulgaria's 'The Father' Was 'Best Day of My Life'". TheWrap. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  15. ^ Terziev, Yanko (11 June 2021). "Кино: "Като за последно"". Capital (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  16. ^ Rosen, Christopher (21 October 2020). "Who Plays Borat's Daughter in Borat 2? Introducing Maria Bakalova". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  17. ^ Chang, Justin (21 October 2020). "Review: Sacha Baron Cohen takes on Trump and coronavirus in clever, scattershot 'Borat' sequel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
  18. ^ Shoard, Catherine (21 October 2020). "Rudy Giuliani faces questions after compromising scene in new Borat film". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  19. ^ Bishop, Nancy [@nancybishopcasting] (24 October 2020). "This is a special shout out to Julian Kostov". Retrieved 2 November 2020 – via Instagram.
  20. ^ Kohn, Eric (1 December 2020). "'Borat 2' Star Maria Bakalova: Behind the Scenes of the Year's Most Surprising Breakthrough Performance". IndieWire. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  21. ^ Fowler, Matt (22 October 2020). "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Review". IGN. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  22. ^ Saad, Nardine (23 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the 'Borat' star in that Giuliani scene". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Critics Choice Awards 2021: See the full list of winners". CNN. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ a b Gonzalez, Sandra (4 April 2021). "SAG Awards: See the full list of winners". CNN. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  25. ^ a b "2021 EE British Academy Film Awards: The Nominations". Bafta. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  26. ^ a b Shoard, Catherine (15 March 2021). "Oscars 2021: two female directors and nine actors of colour nominated in historic year". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  27. ^ a b Welk, Brian (3 February 2021). "Maria Bakalova Blacked Out With Excitement Over Being First Bulgarian Golden Globes Nominee". TheWrap. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  28. ^ Todorov, Svetoslav (3 February 2021). "Maria Bakalova Becomes Bulgaria's First Golden Globe Nominee". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  29. ^ Kroll, Justin (10 November 2020). "'Borat 2' Breakout Star Maria Bakalova Signs With CAA". Deadline. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  30. ^ Yossman, K.J. (14 July 2021). "'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' Star Maria Bakalova Stars in Cannes Contender 'Women Do Cry'". Variety. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  31. ^ Sharf, Zack (10 June 2021). "Cannes Film Festival 2021 Lineup: Sean Baker, Wes Anderson, and More Compete for Palme d'Or". IndieWire. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  32. ^ Davis, Clayton (1 July 2021). "Academy Invites 395 New Members for 2021, Including Robert Pattinson, Andra Day, Steven Yeun". Variety. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  33. ^ Kroll, Justin (16 November 2020). "Judd Apatow Sets Next Comedy With Netflix, Marking His First Feature Film With The Streamer". Deadline. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  34. ^ Galuppo, Mia (6 April 2021). "Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova to Star in A24 Slasher 'Bodies, Bodies, Bodies'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  35. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (31 August 2021). "'Borat' Breakout Maria Bakalova To Lead Cast In Rom-Com 'The Honeymoon'". Deadline. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  36. ^ Roxborough, Scott (31 August 2021). "'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Cast in Rom-Com 'The Honeymoon'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  37. ^ Dimitrov, Daniel (30 March 2021). "Мария Бакалова: Иcкам да заcтана зад xоpа, които нямат равни шансове". Bulgarian News Agency (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 3 September 2021.

External links[]

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