Angel Wagenstein
Angel Wagenstein is a prominent Bulgarian filmmaker and author, born in 1922 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He is of Jewish descent and his life and works are heavily influenced by the turbulent history of Eastern Europe throughout the 20th century. Wagenstein is best known for his contributions to film and literature, often focusing on themes of war, anti-fascism, and the Jewish experience.
During World War II, Wagenstein was an active member of the anti-fascist resistance movement in Bulgaria. His experiences during the war deeply influenced his later works. After the war, he studied cinematography at the prestigious All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow, which further shaped his career in film and screenwriting. Wagenstein has written numerous screenplays and has won several international awards for his films.
In addition to his filmmaking career, Angel Wagenstein is also a celebrated novelist. His literary works include novels such as 'Isaac's Torah: A Novel,' which humorously and poignantly deals with the trials and tribulations of Jewish life in Eastern Europe during the 20th century. His novels are marked by a deep humanism and a complex understanding of the cultural and historical forces shaping individual destinies. Wagenstein's contributions to both film and literature have made him a significant cultural figure in Bulgaria and beyond.