In 1985, Romanian dictator Nikolai Ceausescu began his twentieth year as leader. There was a ban on travel, there were major food shortages and everyone was afraid of the Securitate, the dreaded secret service. As a form of resistance against this oppressive regime, people started organising evenings where invited guests could watch video tapes smuggled from abroad for a small fee. It was exciting, because watching 'imperialist films' was illegal. Even though a VCR was pricey - as expensive as a car - this was an attractive alternative to the propaganda broadcast on state TV. By watching American action films with Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme, among others, a generation of Romanians gawked at the free West with its beautiful houses, full shops and latest fashions.
In Chuck Norris vs Communism, several people look back on that exciting era, including translator Irina Nistor and smuggler Teodor Zamfir.
- Director
- Ilinca Calugareanu
- Countries of production
- United Kingdom, Romania, Germany
- Year
- 2015
- Festival Edition
- IFFR 2016
- Length
- 81'
- Medium
- DCP
- Language
- Romanian
- Producer
- Mara Adina
- Production Company
- Vernon Films
- Sales
- Vernon Films
- Screenplay
- Ilinca Calugareanu
- Cinematography
- Jose Ruiz
- Editor
- Per K. Kirkegaard
- Production Design
- Dana Calugareanu, Horatiu Mihaiu
- Sound Design
- Jay Price
- Music
- Anne Nikitin, Rob Manning
- Cast
- Ana Maria Moldovan
- Website
- http://chucknorrisvscommunism.co.uk