Maria Bakalova

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, receiving a nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, receiving a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.[2]

Maria Bakalova
Мария Бакалова
Born (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996[1]
Burgas, Bulgaria[1]
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active2017–present
Known forBorat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)

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
  • Kristina Grozeva
  • Petar Valchanov
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
Award nominations for Maria Bakalova
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 JournalistsBest Supporting ActressBorat Subsequent MoviefilmNominated
Most Daring Performance AwardWon
Boston Online Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActressWon
Chicago Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActressWon
Most Promising PerformerNominated
Chicago Indie Critics Best Supporting ActressWon
Columbus Film Critics Association Best Supporting ActressNominated
Denver Film Critics Best Supporting ActressNominated
Florida Film Critics Circle AwardsBest Supporting ActressWon
Breakout AwardRunner-up
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or MusicalPending
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Best Supporting ActressNominated
Houston Film Critics Society Best Supporting ActressWon
Indiana Film Journalists Association AwardsBest Supporting ActressWon
Breakout of the YearWon
Kansas City Film Critics CircleBest Supporting ActressRunner-up
London Film Critics’ Circle Best Supporting ActressPending
Music City Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActressWon
National Society of Film Critics Best Supporting ActressWon
New York Film Critics Circle AwardsBest Supporting ActressWon
New York Film Critics OnlineBreakthrough PerformerWon
North Carolina Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActressNominated
North Dakota Film SocietyBest Supporting ActressWon
North Texas Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActressPending
Best NewcomerPending
Online Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting ActressWon
Philadelphia Film CriticsBest Supporting ActressRunner-up
San Diego Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting ActressNominated
Best Comedic PerformanceRunner-up
Breakthrough ArtistNominated
San Francisco Film CriticsBest Supporting ActressNominated
Satellite AwardsBest Actress – Motion Picture Musical or ComedyPending
St. Louis Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActressRunner-up
2021 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting RoleBorat Subsequent MoviefilmPending

References
  1. Nolan, Emma (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova—Borat's daughter is breakout star of Sacha Baron Cohen's special moviefilm second". Newsweek.
  2. "Maria Bakalova Becomes Bulgaria's First Golden Globe Nominee". Balkan Insight. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  3. Itzkoff, Dave (November 11, 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Breakout Star of the Borat Sequel". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  4. Oré, Michella. "Who Plays Borat's Daughter?". Glamour.
  5. Rosen, Christopher. "Who Plays Borat's Daughter in Borat 2? Introducing Maria Bakalova". Vanity Fair.
  6. 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.
  7. Shoard, Catherine. "Rudy Giuliani faces questions after compromising scene in new Borat film". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  8. 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.
  9. Fowler, Matt (22 October 2020). "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Review". IGN. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  10. Saad, Nardine (23 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the 'Borat' star in that Giuliani scene". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  11. Kroll, Justin (2020-11-10). "'Borat 2' Breakout Star Maria Bakalova Signs With CAA". Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  12. Molloy, Tim (22 October 2020). "Meet Maria Bakalova, the Actress Who Plays Borat's Daughter". moviemaker.com.
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