By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
February 23, 2026
In the vast, untamed landscapes of the American West, stories of resilience, family, and cultural fusion often remain untold. Enter Eastern Western, the ambitious debut narrative feature from sister filmmakers Biliana and Marina Grozdanova. This visually stunning film blends the raw essence of a Western adventure with the poignant realities of Eastern European immigration, creating a tapestry that’s as breathtaking as it is heartfelt. AMFM Magazine caught up with the dynamic duo during their promotional tour in Chicago, where they shared insights into the making of this indie gem.
The Heart of the Story
At its core, Eastern Western follows Igor, a recent immigrant and widower grappling with the challenges of raising his young son, Ivo, amid the rugged mountains of the American West. Drawing from the sisters’ own experiences as Eastern European immigrants, the film weaves a fictional narrative that honors the overlooked contributions of immigrants to the building of the West. “It’s an adventure film, it’s a travel film. It’s a family film that is an amalgamation of our backstory as Eastern European immigrants, combined with the backstory of our lead character, Igor,” Biliana explains. The result is a story that resonates on multiple levels—exploring themes of loss, survival, and human (and equine) connection.
What sets Eastern Western apart is its authentic casting: non-actors portraying versions of themselves, with the exception of Igor’s son, played by Leonardo (renamed Ivo for the film). This choice adds a layer of raw realism, making the emotional journey feel intimately personal.
How To Watch – Prime Video link
Filming in the Wild: Montana’s Majesty and Mayhem
Shot primarily in Montana—encompassing stark winter blizzards and lush summer vistas—the film’s cinematography is a character in itself. “You can’t point the camera in a wrong direction in the state of Montana; it’s all beauty, all mesmerizing nature,” Marina notes. Additional scenes were captured in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a poignant World War I-era plane sequence filmed at a museum in upstate New York to underscore the passage of time.
The production wasn’t without its trials. Filming in November’s brutal Montana winter tested the small crew’s limits, but it captured the essence of isolation and hardship central to the story. “Taking a stab at filming in winter… it was very cold, very grueling,” Biliana recalls. Yet, these challenges yielded unforgettable moments, like the grizzly bear encounter on day one of shooting. The bear, named Adam (who has since passed), was a trained professional fed marshmallows for his performance—no CGI needed. “He operated with a little marshmallows and he knew his code words,” Marina shares with a laugh.
Another highlight? A daring scene involving a wagon set ablaze, complete with on-site fire safety measures. “We had a fire department on hold… and it turned out really well for maybe like a split second in the movie. But it’s worth it,” Biliana says.
From Documentary Roots to Narrative Ambition
The Grozdanova sisters, transitioning from documentary filmmaking, approached Eastern Western with unbridled ambition. Without major studio backing, they embraced a “go big or go home” ethos. “We knew that we had to take that big swing,” Marina emphasizes. Their advice to aspiring filmmakers? “Find a good story that you love and that you’re passionate about… Find the people you trust and go out and do it. Don’t wait for the right grant opportunity or the right investor.”
This mindset fueled what they call their “Hail Mary” moment—diving into the wilderness with an open script, allowing improvisation to shape the narrative. Post-production and distribution proved equally challenging, but with a small distributor’s help, the film has landed in theaters like AMC, bolstered by the sisters’ tireless promotion.
Themes of Connection and Legacy
Eastern Western isn’t just a Western; it’s a reimagining of the genre through a female and immigrant lens, emphasizing parenthood, childhood perspectives, and the humanization of animals—particularly horses. “We really try to humanize the horse,” Biliana says, highlighting their role in history, including the over one million horses America sent to Europe during World War I. The film’s ambiguous ending invites viewers to ponder global interconnectedness: “Everyone is connected in this globe… Everything in this world can be traced to one point or another in terms of degrees of separation.”
Marina adds a grounded perspective on their craft: “When I watch something that inspires me and I think, ‘How did they do this? I want to do that.’ I want to inspire someone the way I was inspired.”
What’s Next for the Grozdanova Sisters?
Fresh off support from Montana’s grant program, the duo is expanding their universe with a neo-Western set in apocalyptic times on the Blackfeet Reservation. Featuring returning actor Walter Running Crane Jr., it promises to blend futuristic elements with their signature storytelling.
As they wrapped their Chicago premiere— a hometown event for lead actor Igor and the sisters’ former stomping grounds—Biliana and Marina reflected on the joy of reconnecting with audiences. “We make movies because we’re always seeking that human connection,” Biliana says.
Eastern Western is more than a film; it’s a testament to bold storytelling and the immigrant spirit. Catch it in theaters and prepare to be transported to a West that’s both familiar and refreshingly new. For showtimes and more, visit the official site or follow the filmmakers on social media.
AMFM Magazine celebrates independent cinema that pushes boundaries. Stay tuned for more interviews and reviews.
