Maria Bakalova
Maria Bakalova | |
|---|---|
| Мария Бакалова | |
| Born | 4 June 1996[1] |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Known for | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) |
Maria Bakalova (Bulgarian: Мария Бакалова [mɐˈrijɐ bɐˈkaɫovɐ]; born 4 June 1996) is a Bulgarian actress. She gained international attention for her role as Tutar Sagdiyev in the 2020 mockumentary Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. In 2021, she became the first Bulgarian to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award .[2] She earned nominations for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.
Early life
Bakalova was born in Burgas. She began singing lessons and playing the flute around age six.[3] Bakalova majored in drama theater at the National School of Arts in Burgas. She majored in drama at the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, graduating in 2019.[4]
Acting career
Bakalova started her career acting in Bulgarian films including 2018's Transgression and 2020's Last Call.
She 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.[5][6][7] Fellow Bulgarian Julian Kostov connected her with casting director Nancy Bishop for the role.[8] Critics have praised Bakalova's performance, with Matt Fowler of IGN stating 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]."[9] 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".[10]
In November 2020, it was reported that Bakalova had signed up with the Creative Artists Agency.[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | XIIa | Milena | Magdalena Ralcheva | Film debut |
| 2018 | Angels | Angela | Lachezar Petrov | |
| 2018 | Transgression | Yana | Val Todorov | |
| 2019 | Due to Unforeseen Circumstances | Girl in Taxi | Peter Chiviyski | |
| 2019 | Dream_Girl | Dream_Girl | Peter Chiviyski | |
| 2019 | The Father | Valentina |
|
|
| 2020 | Last Call | Alexandra | Ivaylo Penchev | |
| 2020 | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm | Tutar Sagdiyev | Jason Woliner |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Tipichno | Maria | 4 episodes |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | AltFF Alternative Film Festival[12] | Best Actress | Transgression | Won |
| Queen Palm International Film Festival[12] | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Supporting Actress | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm | Nominated |
| Most Daring Performance Award | Won | |||
| Boston Online Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Most Promising Performer | Nominated | |||
| Chicago Indie Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Columbus Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Denver Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Florida Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Breakout Award | Runner-up | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical | Pending | ||
| Greater Western New York Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Houston Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Breakout of the Year | Won | |||
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle | Best Supporting Actress | Runner-up | ||
| London Film Critics’ Circle | Best Supporting Actress | Pending | ||
| Music City Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| National Society of Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| New York Film Critics Online | Breakthrough Performer | Won | ||
| North Carolina Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| North Dakota Film Society | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| North Texas Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Pending | ||
| Best Newcomer | Pending | |||
| Online Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| Philadelphia Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Runner-up | ||
| San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Best Comedic Performance | Runner-up | |||
| Breakthrough Artist | Nominated | |||
| San Francisco Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Satellite Awards | Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Pending | ||
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Runner-up | ||
| 2021 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm | Pending |
References
- ^ a b Nolan, Emma (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova—Borat's daughter is breakout star of Sacha Baron Cohen's special moviefilm second". Newsweek.
- ^ "Maria Bakalova Becomes Bulgaria's First Golden Globe Nominee". Balkan Insight. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ Itzkoff, Dave (November 11, 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Breakout Star of the Borat Sequel". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ Oré, Michella. "Who Plays Borat's Daughter?". Glamour.
- ^ Rosen, Christopher. "Who Plays Borat's Daughter in Borat 2? Introducing Maria Bakalova". Vanity Fair.
- ^ Chang, Justin (21 Oct 2020). "Review: Sacha Baron Cohen takes on Trump and coronavirus in clever, scattershot 'Borat' sequel". LA Times. Retrieved 21 Oct 2020.
- ^ Shoard, Catherine. "Rudy Giuliani faces questions after compromising scene in new Borat film". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ Nancy Bishop Casting (24 October 2020). "This is a special shout out to @juliankostov. Without him and his connections in Bulgaria, I never could have found Maria Bakalova for Borat. He is an actor who also excellent entrepreneurial instincts and saw a need to start an agency for Bulgarians". Retrieved 2 November 2020 – via Instagram.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (22 October 2020). "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Review". IGN. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Saad, Nardine (23 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the 'Borat' star in that Giuliani scene". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (2020-11-10). "'Borat 2' Breakout Star Maria Bakalova Signs With CAA". Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ a b Molloy, Tim (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Actress Who Plays Borat's Daughter". moviemaker.com.
External links
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