"I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians"
Idealistic theatre-maker discovers that not everyone wants to be reminded of Romania’s kick-off of the Holocaust.
140'
Romania
IFFR 2019
Some people view the Romanian army’s mass murder of Jews in Odessa in 1941 as the start of the Holocaust. A statement by then prime minister Antonescu gives the title to this deftly structured political drama.
Idealistic theatre director Mariana is working on an outdoor play based on the events referred to above. A nerve-wracking process in which she has to deal with extras refusing to work with Roma actors and local public officials seeking to sanitise the production. The present proves closer to the past than Mariana would like.
Intense political-philosophical discussions combine with historical footage, literary quotes and Mariana's own problems to provide a layered perspective. The
film develops into a sometimes wry, light and intimate meditation that is
realistic in tone. Mariana could even be seen as an alter ego for the filmmaker, as he takes stock of today’s Romania. Grand Prix Karlovy Vary 2018.
As part of Critics’ Choice, the screening of Mon 28 Jan, 16:30 will be preceded by a video essay by Chloé Galibert-Laîné & Kevin B. Lee.
IFFR 2019
Programme IFFR 2019
A harvest of outstanding features – the future classics of arthouse cinema.
Read more about this programmeIdealistic theatre-maker discovers that not everyone wants to be reminded of Romania’s kick-off of the Holocaust.
140'
Romania
IFFR 2019
Eight-part series based on the first of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, a history of post-war Italy told through the fates of two young women who are best friends.
469'
Italy
IFFR 2019
At the age of 43, painter Javier Belmonte can no longer camouflage his fear of life and insecurity with bohemian bravura.
75'
Uruguay
IFFR 2019