Cristian Mungiu

"Father Constantin Sturzu, a spokesman for the Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, reviewed the film and said that he didn't think Christians would find anything objectionable in the film. The film shows everyone was somewhat partly to blame for the tragedy, not only the priest and nuns but also the hospital who did not treat the mentally-ill patient well. Nor does it try to provide a verdict in the case. He criticizes the film for depicting certain aspects of monastic life as having no basis in reality, such as when the nuns call the priest "papa" and the abbess "mama," to show that their monastic life is like a new family. He also criticizes a bit the superstitious element of the movie, as if Orthodox Christians are taught to believe without questioning, which is not the case. An opportunity is also found to discuss how Canons are guides for how the Church is to conduct itself, and it is their spirit that must be grasped more than the exactitude of keeping them to the letter. The purpose of the Canons are to aid the believer to union with God through a measured application, rather than drive people to despair through a rigid application. He concludes by saying: 'The film could be an excellent teacher, but cannot be an icon of Orthodox Christianity'" [John Sanidopoulos, "Movie Review: 'Beyond the Hills' (An Orthodox Christian Perspective) accessed on November 12, 2018 at https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/04/movie-review-beyond-hills-orthodox.html....… (plus d'informations)

A girl helps her friend get an illegal abortion in Communist Romania.

Next time I'm tempted to call a film "joyless," I will have to think twice; my perspective on how relentlessly miserable a film can be has been changed. It's the kind of movie that's perfectly executed, couldn't be more effective, and I wish it wasn't - because what Mungiu is evoking is, to say the least, not something I want to experience. I literally had to scream after watching it. I'm still recovering.

Concept: F
Story: A
Characters: B
Dialog: B
Pacing: C
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: B
Acting: B
Music: C

Enjoyment: F

GPA: 2.3/4… (plus d'informations)

original title : "4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile"
Romania 2007, 113 min
The film is brilliantly presenting us with a bleak story set in the bleak and hostile society created by Ceausescu’s dictatorship. But some glimpses of hope shine through.
Outstanding acting, long takes, dramatic scenes played out in confined spaces that ‘imprison’ the protagonists are separated by quiet but disquieting moments that build up tension and an all pervading dread. It well deserves the Palme d‘Or it was given at Cannes in 2007. Don’t miss the film if you can catch it! (XI-13)

Interviews with Christian Mungiu:
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/winter2008/4months.php
http://www.cineaste.com/articles/not-just-an-abortion-film.htm

Alles was du über den Film und die gesellschaftlich-politischen Hintergründe wissen möchtest, findest du hier.
Eine gute Rezension erschien in der Neuen Züricher Zeitung… (plus d'informations)