by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
Avantazh is a Bulgarian word which, though it literally means "advantage," generally refers to work with a big payoff, and specifically refers to pickpockets. This film is in part based on research into the life of Lazar Kassabov, nicknamed "Rooster," who was at one time called the "king" of pickpockets. Episodes from his life are shown from the point of view of the women in his life. At the 1978 Berlin Film Festival, director Dyulgerov won the "Best Director" prize for Avantazh.
