Reels of Steel: MAЛЪK-ГOЛЯM (LITTLE-BIG)

It's been some time since the last (and very first) Reels of Steel, and while this is due to the many movies related to Metal out there for me to go view and filter, today one such movie has broken through the obstacle course of Metalocity.

Unlike the first Reels of Steel, this one is going to provide just a tidbit of details as the story deserves a level of mystery I feel is too special to spoil for first time viewers.

Reels of Steel is proud to review MAЛЪK-ГOЛЯM (LITTLE-BIG).


The movie hails from Bulgaria, a unique country with a lot to offer to the world, and aside its twist on our beloved music, it also showcases a form of music it is best at (and originally from their land), Chalga. The story of the movie is about 2 individuals, Desi Slava, a renowned singer of Chalga and Boris Red, local Metalhead at large. The movie is shown in a "interview" approach as both individuals speak about how each of them grew up with each other from elementary school age to where they are in the present in their own perspective.

Little-Big opens up with family and friends enjoying a big meal with traditional Bulgarian music in a jam band approach.

The interview segment with Desi Slava is showing her gradually getting ready to perform while talking about her past experiences.

I endorse this statement from Ms. Slava \m/

Here we have Boris Red, the local Metalhead at large. He is the one primarily discussing his past as a Metalhead.

His gaggle of friends.

During the interview, a number of music videos from a variety of Bulgarian bands are showcased in the film.

First proper video Melekh "The Path of the Left Hand" music video.

Desi Slava dressed for the grand finale.

This has to be one of my favorite scenes in the film, and it speaks for itself.

Sisters of Radomir "Hippies of Pernik" music video.

мерси \m/

Past Redemption "Fraud" music video (I6Z6A6N NOTE: Of all the music videos I have seen, this is my personal favorite for stereotypical reasons \m/).

Duet Dvorjak "Space Kyuchek" music video. The costumes alone are enough to warrant this video as the most "unique".

Jasmine Whale "Transitions" music video.

Makazchievi Duet "Hey, boy" music video. While the music is not Metal, its message has a \m/ HEAVY \m/ touch.

This video makes it case very clearly.

The band behind the Iron-clad Message.

17 XII "Leprosy" music video. Saving the 2nd best for 2nd last (sorry 17 XII, I know you have a kick ass song going, but the way this movie ends earned the title "saving the best for last".).

If I was to say what is the best way to end a movie, this is it. Desi Slava puts on a simple but incredibly powerful performance to end this film. Even though I can't understand what she is saying, it's the way how she delivers the song. Good show Ms. Slava \m/

Kрая (The End).

The movie is about 2 people reflecting on their past experiences for the music they love and the trials and tribulations they had to contend with, and how both forms of music share a similar destiny. It also provides a first person perspective what Bulgarian Metal musicians endured before the fall of the Iron Curtain and how Chalga's rise influenced a country's musical tastes. It also showed a number of music videos from Bulgaria presenting the viewer the diverse selection it offers within the confines of Metal music in their perspective and their contribution to the world of music.

The fact they used 2 actual musicians (Boris Red of the band 17 XII and Desi Slava) from their respected forms of music gave the film a authentic edge. Boris's performance was like seeing Metalheads chat about past events, and I can vouch for this series of events happening too many times in my life to know how authentic the events are and how they are told. Desi Slava portrayal of a pop star reflecting her experience with Metalheads and becoming who she is was spot on, but she delivered something many pop stars can never deliver (especially from my country), which was a sense of down-to-earth sincerity that is not "manufactured".

The film debuted on the 4th Edition of the Norient Musikfilm Festival and is the creation of Ясен Григоров (Yassen Grigorov), and his oversight of the films direction is a testament to his creativity of uniting 2 unlikely forms of music to tell a story about how 2 people reflect on a past that had many uncertainties, the possible future of the past, and where they are now, as well the life that surrounded them and the average person. This movie is a definite winner.

I would like to take this time to say thank you to Ясен Григоров (Yassen Grigorov) for providing the movie to me to review and enjoy. мерси \m/

For more information on Little-Big, please visit the following sites:

The Flying Agency Official YouTube Channel

Ясен Григоров (Yassen Grigorov) Facebook