The Film Society of Lincoln Center will present Making Waves: New Romanian Films from December 4-8. As in years past, their selection includes works from some of the most exciting Romanian filmmakers like Tudor Cristian Jurgiu and Stere Gulea - both of whom will be at the festival doing Q&As - with the latter's 1987 epic The Journey being screened on December 7 with an introduction by the director. This year's theme might be defined as an exploration of the passage of time and Romania's relation to the rest of the world, since many of the films feature stories and characters trying to break free from the past that shaped them, but can no longer affect them. In a rich selection that includes short films and documentaries, the following are essential viewing:
The Japanese Dog - Dir. Tudor Cristian Jurgiu
This year's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is the low-key tale of Costache (Victor Rebengiuc) an elderly man who reconnects with his son Ticu (Serban Pavlu) who left their small village years before to move to Japan. Father and son are at odd with what they want out of life, and how they think the other should be living. Jurgiu's melancholy observations about the deceitful peacefulness of rural life makes for an exemplary work in meditative filmmaking, while Rebengiuc's performance is a heartbreaking little miracle that reminds audiences why he is regarded as the most important actor of his generation.
I’m an Old Communist Hag - Dir. Stere Gulea
In contrast to her chilling performance as the overprotective mother in Child's Pose, Luminita Gheorgiu's Emilia in I'm an Old Communist Hag is a treasure chest of warmth and affection. Emilia is a former Communist Party member who seems to miss the "good old days" when at least she knew what to expect from her country. While the title might make it sound political, the film is in fact a crowd-pleasing comedy which moves along like something out of Frank Capra or Leo McCarey. Gheorghiu is phenomenal, her chemistry and witty exchanges with onscreen husband Marian Ralea being some of the most pleasurable put onscreen in recent years.
Second Game - Dir. Corneliu Porumboiu
Taking the notion of "commentary" to a new level or artistry, Corneliu Porumboiu's film presents us with the grainy, and snowy, footage of a 1988 soccer game which was refereed by his father Adrian Porumboiu, and the film consists of them talking over what they're watching. What promises to be a charming father and son bonding story (which makes for a rather fascinating double bill with The Japanese Dog) proves to be much more than that, as the Porumboiu men talk about the politics that went behind bringing the match to life. One wouldn't expect something as voyeuristic and experimental as this to be so engaging, but to say the result is surprisingly brilliant would be an understatement.
Where Are You, Bucharest? - Dir. Vlad Petri
Following the footsteps of nonfiction films which have attempted to capture the spirit of recent social uprisings, Where Are You, Bucharest? chronicles the protests that erupted in Bucharest in 201, where people from all walks of life took the streets to demand a better life, the specific concept of which was sadly never clear to anyone. Following his subjects for well over a year, director Petri crafts a compelling look at the way in which people bond over collective desire for change. At times the aimlessness of the subjects' purpose is enough to break your heart, but Petri makes it obvious that once they're organized they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Making Waves: New Romanian Films December 4-8 at The Film Society of Lincoln Center. For tickets and more click here.
