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"Harrowing and brilliantly acted....Generates almost unbearable suspense."—The New York Times
"FOUR STARS" — Chicago Sun Times
WINNER — Palme d'Or, Cannes 2007
4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS & 2 DAYS
April 2-9
Weds 7:00pm, Thurs 8:45pm, Fri 7:00pm, Sat 8:45pm, Sun 7:00pm, Mon 8:45pm, Tues 7:00pm, Weds 8:45pm
Romania 2007 // Director: Cristian Mungiu // 113 min // 35mm |
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There are too many awards and accolades to list for the most acclaimed foreign film of 2007, but it began with the Cannes Palme d'Or and continued through year-end top-ten lists. Cristian Mungiu's intensely gripping and immaculately shot story of the procurement of an illegal abortion in communist-era Romania deserves to be seen on the widescreen if you missed it at last year's VIFF.
Romania, during the last days of Communism. Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) are students sharing a room in a hall of residence in Bucharest. Gabita has gotten herself pregnant and, with Otilia in tow, arranges to meet a certain Mr. Bebe (Vlad Ivanov) in a cheap hotel to procure an illegal abortion. Thus begins their all-too-real descent into danger.
"Pitch perfect and brilliantly acted, 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days is a stunning achievement, directed with a purity and honesty that captures not just the illegal abortion story at its core but the constant, unremarked negotiations necessary for survival in the final days of the Soviet bloc. Showcasing all the elements of new Romanian cinema--long takes, controlled camera and an astonishing ear for natural dialogue--Cristian Mungiu's masterly film plays only one false note in an otherwise beautifully textured story... Certain to be spoken of with the same regard as The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, with which it shares cinematographer Oleg Mutu, pic is envisioned, like that surprise hit, as the first in a series, ironically titled 'Tales From the Golden Age.' Mungiu's goal is to visualize the overwhelming weight of the soul-destroying compromises of life during the Ceausescu years through clear-eyed, deeply humane stories..."--Jay Weissberg, Variety
4 months, 3 weeks & 2 days belongs to a larger project called: Tales from the Golend Age - a subjective history of communism in Romania told through urban legends. The project's aim is to talk about that period with no direct reference to communism but only throught different stories focused on personal options in a time of great misfortune. 4 months, 3 weeks & 2 days is the first film of the series.
Cristian Mungiu was born in 1968 in Iasi, Romania. He studied English literature at the University of Iasi and Film directing at the University of Film in Bucharest. He worked as a teacher and a journalist for written press, radio and television until 1994. During his film studies, he worked as an assistant director for foreign productions shot in Romania. After his graduation, in 1998, he made several shorts. His first feature, Occident, was premiered in Director’s Fortnight in Cannes in 2002 and later won prizes at several festivals.
WINNER - Cannes Film Festival, Palme d'Or
WINNER - Chicago, Vancouver, Toronto & Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Best Foriegn Language Film
WINNER - European Film Awards, Best Director & Best Film
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