The Cinematic Soul of Nikolai Larin: Decoding Liliana

Liliana's father, a petty clerk in Sofia, dies. His sixteen year old daughter, still in high school, is left without any means. Her father's former chief, an old bachelor, begins to look after her. He takes advantage of the situation and sleeps with Liliana. She is expelled from school and become a prostitute. The girl is taken ill but continues work as an artist's model in different studios. In one of them she meets Kamen. He comes from a wealthy peasant family. in town he poses for artists dressed in a national costume. Kamen falls in love with Liliana. Soon after he visits her at home. He learns that she is seriously ill. The girl lives in a wretched poverty. Liliana tells him the story of her life. Kamen offers to take her to the village where the fresh air will her to recuperate. She agrees. Kamen and Liliana are already married. In the beginning his mother is rather cool towards the girl but little by little her trust is won. Work in the open, peaceful life and Kamen's love help Liliana to recover completely. Hapiness does not last long. Learning of her past the young women of the village begin to shun her. After a row during a village dance Liliana comes home crying. She falls ill and dies soon. Kamen is inconsolable. He is haunted by Lliana's ghost which is rumored to roam as a vampire. Kamen visits Liliana's grave every day. Once when her ghost appears, he follows it. Urged on by the phantom Kamen falls from a high rock and is killed.