
Zako Heskiya
Directing
Biography
Zako Heskija (Зако Хеския), born Isaac Solomonov Heskiya (Исак Соломонов Хеския), also transliterated as Zako Heskia or Sako Cheskija (21 September 1922 – 3 June 2006), was a Bulgarian film director and screenwriter. He was born in Istanbul to Jewish parents. Heskiya graduated Cinema and Photograph College in Sofia. From 1956 to 1965 he was an assistant director for Boyana Film Studio. Heskia gained international attention in 1966 for Gorechto Pladne (Torrid Noon), the first Bulgarian contribution to the Cannes Film Festival and a nomination for the Palme d'Or. In 1981 he won the Special Prize at the 12th Moscow International Film Festival for Yo Ho Ho. Zako Heskiya worked as a head of the "Debut" group at the former Boyana Studio (succeeded by Nu Boyana Film Studios) and opened the door to professional work for many young Bulgarian film directors.
Known For

No description available.
Нощем с белите коне

Stationed in a secluded Bulgarian village in 1943, Walter – a German Wehrmacht sergeant and artist – lives in almost idyllic distance from the war. Then a transit camp is set up for Jews arriving from Greece. When Ruth, one of the internees, asks Walter to help a pregnant woman, the two form an unlikely bond.
Stars

During World War II, a plane transfers Bulgarian antifascists from the USSR to Bulgaria. They jump with parachutes. The eighth paratrooper heads a guerilla group. In the group, there are doubts about the existence of a traitor. Initially, an innocent person is accused, but later the real traitor is caught and killed. Still, the most dangerous enemies of the guerillas are the colonel and the troops stationed in the nearby village. The battle between them and the guerillas is won by the latter who continue to fight for their cause.
The Eighth

An entire town rallies to help save a young boy after he becomes stuck in a river.
Torrid Noon

In 1944 Bulgaria switches sides and joins the war against Germany. The story focuses on the advance of the Bulgarian army through Yugoslavia and Hungary, as well as its internal struggles.
Dawn Over the Drava

The unlikely friendship between a 10-year-old boy, Leonid, recovering from a broken arm in a hospital, and a young, paraplegic actor. As the actor, disillusioned with life, struggles with his condition, he begins to tell Leonid an elaborate and adventurous pirate story. Their shared fantasy world, in which they play the main roles, gradually intertwines with the realities of their hospital life.
Yo Ho Ho

This is a film about a famous Bulgarian wrestler who is forced by the police authorities to work for them. We see a lonely man, tortured by his consciousness, who dies without single scratch.
Scar-Free

In 1945, on the battlefields in Hungary, three Bulgarian soldiers from the reserve have to fight for the liberation of the country. They are totally unprepared for the war and have no desire to take part in the battles. The three reservists are the sad sight and initially their commander wants to send them back to Bulgaria. But their attitude is changed after the witnessed tragedies. Without knowing it, they all turn into heroes.
Three Reservists

In the first days of the summer holidays, Petyo, Elka, Maya and their classmates go for a swim and a bit of fun near the mill on the river.