Khan Asparukh (1981)

Ludmil Staikov

Bulgaria

338 min, color, Bulgarian

Part I: Phanagoria, 112 min
Part II: Migration, 113 min
Part III: Land Forever, 113 min

Much of ancient Bulgarian history is now subject to intense scholarly debate as the politically motivated theories of the origin of the Bulgarians propagated during the Soviet era have come to an end with the ideology that imposed them. It will be years before any credible studies begin to emerge from this chaos. It is known, however, that the Bulgarians are an ancient people, who has founded several highly civilized states during their migration from Asia to Europe. One of these, Bulgaria, is the oldest state in Europe that still exists under its original name.

Khan Asparukh tells the story of the Bulgarian migration, beginning from the fall of Great Bulgaria in the Asian steppes, the trek across inhospitable lands populated by hostile tribes, and the settlement of the region to the south of the Danube secured with the decisive defeat of the Byzantine Empire that forced her to recognize the newcomers.

The Bulgarians are among the most mysterious people of the early Middle Ages. Their origin is debated and they left little written history until quite late in their political and social development. The first mention of the Bulgarians by their ethnic name is from 354 C.E. by a Roman chronicler when they lived to the north of Caucasus. They constituted one of the integral parts of the Hun military force, and the ancient "List of Bulgarian Rulers" lists Attila as their first ruler.

The Bulgarians periodically attacked and plundered the lands of the Roman Empire but the Byzantines conducted skillful divide and conquer policies that succeeded in splitting the Bulgarian tribes. In 632 Kubrat unified them, overthrew the rule of the Turkic Khanate, and formed what Roman writers call the Old Great Bulgaria. The new state established friendly relations with the Romans.

The film begins with the arrival of the envoys from Constantinople to Phanagoria, the capital of Bulgaria on the coast of the Azov Sea. They ask Kubrat to fulfil the obligations of their treaty and attack the Khazars. Although one cannot tell this from the film, Kubrat was a civilized and highly educated ruler (it is believed that he spent two years studying at Constantinople) and his decision to honor the promise is inexplicably rash. Following Kubrat's death, and under the increasing pressures of Khazar raids, the Bulgarians split into 5 hordes, each led by one of Kubrat's sons.

Kotrag went north and founded the Volga-Kama Bulgaria which existed until the 13th century when it was destroyed by the Tatars. Batbayan remained at the Sea of Azov but suffered defeats at the hands of the Khazars. His horde was later integrated into Volgo-Kama Bulgaria. Kuber and his horde settled in Macedonia and became part of Asparukh's state. Altsek went to Italy, where his Bulgarians were assimilated, leaving only the names of several modern towns. The youngest son Asparukh was to play the truly historical role.

Asparukh went southwest across the Danube. The film follows the journey, the murderous winters, and the final push into Moesia, where the Bulgarians clashed with the Byzantine Empire. In 680 C.E. Asparukh led his people across the river, established a secret alliance with the populous Slav tribes who were also hostile to the Romans, and challenged the Empire for possession of the land. Emperor Constantine IV personally led an enormous army against the invaders. The war displayed the considerable strategic skills of the Bulgarians that ensured the incredible victory over the legendary Roman army that outnumbered them 10 to 1. By 681, the Bulgarian cavalry was pressing into Thrace and in that year the Empire was forced to recognize the loss of Moesia by signeding a treaty with the Bulgarians. In that "land forever", the new state had come to be.

The film should be interpreted with caution as faithful representation of history, even that which was accepted at the time. For example, after the attack on the Khazars goes awry, Kubrat splits the Bulgarians and sends them on a perilous migration to find new homes. The Byzantine chroniclers tell us that he ordered his sons to preserve the unity of the state "in order for them to rule everywhere and not be slaves to other peoples" and only after his death around 651 did his sons decide to separate. Many of the other themes are equally doubtful.

Still, none of this detracts from the enjoyment of a film that could only have been made in Bulgaria in celebration of the 1,300th anniversary of the founding of the state. The film was a full year in the making, with over 50,000 extras, all garbed in period costumes. The march of the Roman legions across the plains is a sight to behold and has not been surpassed even by Hollywood historical dramas.

A spectacular epic, "Khan Asparukh" remains the most-attended film in Bulgaria of all time. The official statistics show that close to 11 million people saw the original three part version, and a little over 2 million saw the atrocious shorter cut with Bulgarian subtitles. This in a nation with a population of 8 million!

December 14, 2002