Drones. Parkour. YouTube. All volatile elements in the hands of amateurs, capable of cringe-worthy EDM-laced edits.
But in the hands of stuntman Ilko Iliev and drone operator Marin Kafedjiiski, we’ve finally got the real-life video game of our pixelated dreams.
Shot from above — making it look decidedly 2D — the video follows Iliev as he traverses the wild world of Bulgaria using his parkour skills, a wakeboard and ropes rigged up to the abandoned communist-era Buzludzha Monument. Along the way, a few giant coins and a battle scene are thrown in for good measure.
National Geographic scooped up the story for their Short Film Showcase series, spotlighting videos the editors dig from across the internet. In order to conform it to their format, they chopped off the last minute-and-a-half of behind-the-scenes footage and bloopers from the original cut. But that’s an essential piece of this film, because after getting a better look at the decrepit tower and rocky death trap of a conduit, you’ll have a whole new level of appreciation when you watch it again (and again and again).
This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.
