New Wave Romanian Cinema

Cinematheque Ontario presents a great 3 weeks of Romanian films from April 11 to May 2.  New Romanian Cinema has been the talk in international cinema for the past few years.  Last year saw 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS winning the grand prize at Cannes.  The art-house hit (never shown here) THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU made many critics’ best 10 lists.

A total of 12 films will be screened including a program of fantastic shorts.  For more information of schedule, times, venue and tickets check out the Cinematheque’s website at:

http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca

Below are capsule reviews of a few of the films. 

4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND TWO DAYS (Romania 2007) ***** Best of the Lot
Directed by Cristian Mungiu
This low budget Romanian film, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND TWO DAYS deservedly won the grand prize for best film at Cannes this year.  Găbiţa (Laura Vasiliu) is pregnant and undergoes an abortion with the help of her girlfriend, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca).  Mr. Bebe (Vlad Ivanov) performs the deed, but not without problems.  The film also takes a look at the current living standards of Romania, the current social climate and the issues of relationships and of course, abortion which was illegal during the time the film is set.  Made simple with single takes mainly on a steady camera (first one is hand held though), director Mungiu demonstrates that you do not need lots of money or special effects to make a compelling, effective movie.  From the acting, carefully planned and executed segments, this film marks one of the top 10 films of 2007.

THE GREAT COMMUNIST BANK ROBBERY (Romania/France 2004) ****
Directed by Alexandru Solomon
THE GREAT COMMUNIST BANK ROBBERY is a very original wicked social satire done mockumentary style.  Using old film archives, reenacted scenes and through interviews with the witnesses of the robbery, neighbors of suspects and the suspects themselves, the film paints a vivid picture of Romania in the past while blending in the elements of a heist thriller.  The robbery is in reality deadly basic – the robbers intercepting the car carrying the loot.  Based on a real 1959 heist in which 1.6 million lei were stolen, the film has a KAFKA-ish feel owing to the ridiculous route the secret police and government authorities took to capture the robbers – revealed to be 5 intellectual Jews.  Scary in a way, but mostly bitingly hilarious in most parts, director Solomon’s film is a rare gem that surprisingly never got the international recognition it deserves.  Solomon narrates his own film.

12:08 EAST OF BUCHAREST (Romania 2006) ****
Directed by Corneliu Porumboiu
The deadpan laugh-out loud satire 12:08 EAST OF BUCHAREST centres on a talk show host Mr. Jderescu leading a made-up discussion on the Romanian anti-Ceausescu revolution.  Why he wants to conduct such a show is beyond himself (he makes up a reason during the broadcast) and others, which results in no one wanting to see the show - least be in it.  Director Proumboiu’s first part of the film revolves around Jderescu’s daily routines with brief looks too, at what his two interviewees are up to – which is nothing much at all.  These are a bunch of lovable louts/losers who go on their lives without ambition or purpose.  The climatic broadcast is lengthy but well rehearsed by the actors hilarious as hell while depicting the state and times of the disinterested Romanians.

THE WAY I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD (Romania/Fr 2006) ****
Directed by Catalin Mitulescu
The end of the world refers to the fall of the dictatorship in Romania.  This unexpected surprise of a film tells the last days from the point of view of 7-year old Lalalilu.  He loves his older 17-year old sister Eva, who has a penchant of getting herself in trouble.  Eva goofs around with her boyfriend Andrei and he breaks a bust of Ceaucesu at school.  But she is sent to a reformatory.  Through the eyes of Lalalilu in school, at home, at family functions and at play, the audience is given not only an education of a completely different way of living but touched by the fluidity at which director Mitulescu’s film unfolds.  At the end credits, Martin Scorsese’s name pops up as executive producer.  Obviously, he is one to recognise genuine talent in Mitsulescu’s wonderful work.  Dorotheea Petre deservedly won the best actress award at Cannes for her performance as Eva.