Olympics 2012 Film Part 5 - Poland, Romania, Finland, Japan, China & Australia
Romania 292 Medals
The films title refers to the exact time that Nicolae Ceauescu fled, following the Romanian uprising of the revolutionaries. Focusing on the city of Vaslui, the film is set 16 years after the communist regime of Ceauescu, examining how a group of locals perceive the revolution. Jderescu runs a television station in Vaslui and on the anniversary of the revolution, considers doing a show wherein he would interview guests about their experience of the uprising. He only manages to gather two guests for his show: Manescu, a school teacher with a drinking problem and Piscoci, an elderly gentleman who is known as Santa Claus to the local children. Questioning whether there had been a revolution in the city, he asks the question to his guests who both claim they were participants in the protests the night before Ceauescu fled. When phone calls from viewers come in, their participation in the revolution comes into question. Were the citizens of Vaslui strong participants in protest or did they just sit back, watch it unfold and just follow the trend? While the film may seem to belittle the importance of the revolution to its people, it actually examines small town life and how the revolution has in actuality not changed that much in their lives. Restricted to television scenes of the revolution and watching it unfold in the city of Bucharest is far different to a small town, in which there is very little sign of change. He challenges the effects of the revolution on a wider scale, it may have changed the larger cities of the country, but what about the so called little people, it is for them he asks the question; did the revolution happen? Silver The Death of Mr Lazarescu (Cristi Puiu, 2005)
Set two years before the fall of communism, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, is a humanist story which tries to avoid politics, instead brutally focusing on abortion within the country. It follows two students, Otilla and Gabita, who are roommates in a small Romanian dorm. When Gabita falls pregnant, it is Otilla who attempts to take control of the situation, arranging an illegal abortion (Ceauescu had made them illegal), paying for it and finding the abortionist. Instead of focusing on Gabita, Mungu, instead focuses on Otilla and her role in exploring the blackest of black markets. As she plans and arranges the abortion she meets up with Mr Bebe the proposed abortionist, a man who is as seedy as they come. With her relationship with her boyfriend creating problems for herself, Otilla takes on a selfless role and it is in the dark and ruthless end, that we see just how selfless she has been. An uncompromising look at abortion, Munglu has shone a bright light onto a subject which has often been shrouded in darkness, the only other film to explore it in such a way is Mike Leigh's agonizing; Vera Drake. However, what is particularly interesting is that although it focuses upon abortion, its legality is nothing more than matter of fact. There is no commentary on the politics behind its legal status or Ceauescu himself. They are merely a backdrop; instead it focuses on humanity and friendship testing the limits of both, delving into their darkest facets. With the brilliant performances of Anamaria Marinca (Otilla) and Laura Vasiliu (Gabita) it rightfully won the Golden Palm at Cannes and has helped to develop an ever growing quality in Romanian cinema.

