BLACK SEA, THE

(director/writer: Crystal Moselle/Derrick R. Harden; cinematographer: Jackson Hunt; editor: Anastos Petkov; music: Charles Moselle; cast: Derrick R. Harden (Khalid), Irmena Chichikova  (Ina), Samuel Finzi (Boris), Stoyo Mirkov (Georgi), Nefiz Mehmed (Fortune Teller), Krasimira Demirova (Raya); Runtime: 96; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Crystal Moselle, Izabella Tzenkova; Kotva Films/Metrograph Pictures; 2024-USA/Bulgaria-in English & Bulgarian with English subtitles)

“Oddball indie drama about a Black American’s adventure while stranded in a small seacoast town in Bulgaria.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Crystal Moselle (“The Wolfpack”/”Sophia”) partners with her real-life lover Derrick R. Harden, a NY based rapper and actor, to direct and write this oddball indie drama about a Black American’s adventure while stranded in a small seacoast town in Bulgaria.


Khalid (Derrick Harden) is a Brooklyn barista. He’s a charming dreamer who quits his job and is stranded in a Bulgarian small town after an opportunity to make money through a Facebook ad doesn’t pan out, as the sugar mama he’s to meet Raya (Krasimira Demirova) dies upon his arrival. He’s the only Black man in town, who connects with the fisherman Georgi (Stoyo Mirkov), Raya’s son.

To survive financially, Khalid befriends the local travel agent Ina (Irmena Chichikova), Georgi’s ex-girlfriend, and gets by finding odd jobs while beginning a romance with her and then opening a cafe with the money from his jobs.

Meanwhile the town bully (Samuel Finzi) despises Khalid and follows him around.

But despite one incident after another, things always seem to work out fine for Khalid. On top of that, the rap music and hip hop make you want to believe you never left Brooklyn.

It’s a film that seems to go nowhere as it meanders around, as it makes mild jokes about Bulgaria, immigration and racism.

REVIEWED ON 12/9/2024  GRADE: C+
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