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The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005, Cristi Puiu)
“Are you still feeling nauseous?” “I’m feeling melancholy.” Right off the bat I’m regretting the decision to finally watch the 2.5-hour Romanian movie about the slow death of an old drunk due to...
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12:08 East of Bucharest (2006, Corneliu Porumboiu)
Another drag of a Romanian movie making some sort of opaque political statement, this one by 50 Under 50 filmmaker Porumboiu. Won a couple of awards at Cannes the year before 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2...
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The Keep (1983, Michael Mann)
A movie about nazis being killed off by aliens should’ve been more entertaining – besides a really fantastic smoke-monster effect, this was only pretty good. It tries to be very serious and sets up...
View ArticleToni Erdmann (2016, Maren Ade)
Sounds like an American-ready comedy premise (which is why there’s a rumored remake): uptight daughter gets a visit from her goofball dad who tries getting her to lighten up. Generic versions of this...
View ArticleGraduation (2016, Cristian Mungiu)
We closely follow Romeo (Adrian Titieni, one of Mr. Lazarescu‘s many doctors), sort of a sad Romanian Nick Frost, during the week of his daughter’s final exams. At first he’s a regular guy whose family...
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When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism (2013, Corneliu Porumboiu)
Almost the entire movie is a film director (Bogdan Dumitrache of Sieranevada) having conversations, rehearsals and affairs with his lead actress (Diana Avramut). He fakes a stomach illness, claims he...
View ArticleCollective (2019, Alexander Nanau)
Straightforward doc, named after the rock club that caught fire during a show, killing 20-some people (including most of the band), leading to massive public protests and a change of government. After...
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The Whistlers (2019, Corneliu Porumboiu)
Always a good call to open your movie with “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop. I lost track of the relationships and double-crosses, because I think all the cops are dirty and spying on each other… or rather,...
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Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021, Radu Jude)
A key document of pandemic-era people being shitty to each other. Last week’s viewing of Happy Valley was well timed, since Jude also roams the streets here, filming construction and advertising...
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Beyond the Hills (2012, Cristian Mungiu)
Not trying to join the Stereogum Anniversary Culture, but I happened to watch this on the tenth anniversary of its premiere. This is bound to happen at least once during Cannes Week. Rounding out my...
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