Bulgarian Lovers

Bulgarian Lovers (Los novios búlgaros) is a 2003 Spanish romantic comedy-drama film directed by Eloy de la Iglesia. It is based on the novel of the same name by Eduardo Mendicutti.

Plot
The plot centers around Daniel, a well-off gay lawyer in Madrid. He is part of a group of gay Spanish men who cruise for sex, which is treated as a form of domination. Daniel forms a relationship with an attractive Bulgarian expatriate, Kyril, for whom he makes extraordinary efforts, such as forging papers and smuggling uranium. Daniel and his wealth are contrasted with Kyril and his good looks.

Production
The film was produced by Cartel, Altube Filmeak, Cuervo Films, and Conexión Sur.

Release
The film screened in the 53rd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2003.

Reception
David Stratton of Variety deemed the film to be "full of charm, entertaining enough as it unfolds, good looking, but not especially memorable in retrospect".

Stephen Holden of The New York Times assessed that the film manages to observe "the interplay of sex, power and money with a cool, amused attitude and a fine sense of social detail", "without becoming preachy or lapsing into fatuous psychological jargon".