| | It was with the greatest skepticism, because that's how we are, first we doubt each other, then everybody else, and unfortunately only in very rare cases our own selves, that I went to see the Romanian film that won this year's Palme d'Or. I haven't read any of the director's statements in its regard, but I expected yet another one of those endless whining odes to the one national trauma that almost nobody is yet too young to remember. Pretty much everything that has come out of our post-1989 cinematography that is worth noting in any way looks more like group therapy than storytelling. Instead, I crashed the least-talked about coming-of-age party. My country's.
This is a film that tells the story of an illegal abortion, but it is not about illegal abortions.
This is a film set in the Communist era, but it is not about the Communist era.
This is a film that shows males as heartless, but it is not about heartless males.
This is a film that is centred around a selfless friendship, but it is not about selfless friendships.
This is a film that has opportunities for moralistic statements at every step, yet elegantly refrains from making any.
This is simply a film about being Romanian. The story excels in finesse, at no point does it take the easy way of the
caricature, as many have before and I'm sure many will after. It is a sensitive, at times ironic, at times bitter, at times plain funny, at times heartbreaking, but, underneath its apparent cruelty, a sober fresque of what it means to be us, with everything that makes us just like everybody else and everything that makes us just like nobody else.
Many have speculated that the prize in Cannes was given for political
reasons, a deferent gesture to welcome us into the club and encourage
us to go artsy. After seeing the movie, and despite being in awe over
it, I am inclined to agree. Because, besides being about Romanians,
this is essentially a film for Romanians. Precisely because no particular statement was sought, there is no simplification, no exaggeration, no emphasis, and no mitigation. This is what we are. There is an infinity of details that a foreigner might miss underneath the details. You will not, however, if you will look at this film the way people on the verge of love should look at each other. Very closely, beaming with anticipation, but with nothing yet concluded. Instead, with everything alluded.
Please do.
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| | Posted 9/19/2007 10:19 PM - 70 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
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