This week we’re turning our attention to a film that sets the stage for One World Romania (March 31 – April 9), but also some comedies to revive us a bit now with winter coming to an end.

OWR#16 Warm-up: Can there be healing through art? Focus Ukraine

Before kicking off its 16th edition, the International Human Rights & Documentary Film Festival One World Romania awaits its audience at a warm-up event where they will present The Hamlet Syndrome (dir. Elwira Niewiera, Piotr Rosolowski), a documentary about the young Ukrainian generation scarred by war and political breakthroughs. The film draws parallels between Shakespeare’s play and the characters’ struggles, offering them space to express their suffering, helplessness and anger.

The screening will be followed by a discussion about the effects that a year of conflict has on the individual and collective psyche. Guests include Olena Illienko (actress, Kyiv), Ksenia Kozlovskaya (dance instructor and choreographer, Kyiv), and Valentin Arsene (independent specialist psychotherapist, supervisor in integrative trauma psychotherapy, Romania).

The event takes place on February 24 at Elvire Popesco Cinema. Entrance is free.

Taxi Drivers (dir. Bogdan Theodor Olteanu)

In hectic Bucharest, two taxi drivers go about their night shift, they stop at the kebab place or for a coffee, swing by their house and get back behind the wheel. Lică and Liviu are different, but both aspire to better times. They argue, make up, take a deep breath and throw themselves back into the maelstrom of the city, which hides surprises at every corner.

What begins as a comedy with clichéd characters – the aggressive taxi driver, the dummy taxi driver, the mobster’s wife, the shallow youths – suddenly turns into a meditation on life and hardship. Regardless of social status, no one is fully content with their lives, whether they lack money, time, or love.

Taxi Drivers plays in cinemas across the country. On February 22, there will be a screening at Elvire Popesco Cinema in Bucharest.

Astérix & Obélix: The Middle Kingdom (dir. Guillaume Canet)

Here comes a brand new Asterix and Obelix adventure, with its iconic yet suitable for the whole family absurdist humour. Those of you who have grown up with the heroes since 1999, don’t worry, Dogmatix is present here too.

The only daughter of the Chinese Emperor Han Xuandi needs help. The Gauls are hard to persuade, everybody seems to come to them when there is trouble (it is the fifth instalment in the franchise, after all). Asterix, however, is the first to accept, since “he has nothing else to do anyway”.

It is the first film not starring Gérard Depardieu as Obelix, but the cast doesn’t disappoint, with Guillaume Canet, Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Cassel and Marion Cotillard in the lead roles.

The film hits theatres across the country on Friday, February 24.

R.M.N. (dir. Cristian Mungiu)

A few days before Christmas, Matthias (Marin Grigore) returns to his native village in Transylvania after an incident at work in Germany. Here he reunites with his son, his father and his ex-lover, Csilla, who now runs a factory. The arrival of foreign, immigrant workers disturbs the small village and exposes deep-rooted issues of intolerance and racism.

Csilla is played by actress Judith State, who “pulls off a real tour de force, as she easily glides between the four languages that her character speaks, between a warm and familiar attitude to one that is tough and uncompromising” (check out the Films in Frame review by Flavia Dima). The performance brought her a nomination for the European Shooting Stars 2023.

R.M.N. will be screened at the Union Cinematheque on February 25 and 26.

The Perfect Escape (dir. Cristina Jacob)

If you like American romantic comedies then you will definitely enjoy the newest movie by Cristina Jacob (Oh, Ramona!, Selfie 69).

Four couples find themselves isolated on top of the mountain, which sets off a wild night full of temptations, challenges and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Among these experiences, the characters reflect on what makes a relationship, compromises and the pursuit of happiness. The film offers multiple perspectives, featuring characters of all ages and relationships at various points, from early stages to years-long marriages.

The cast includes Romanian actors Bogdan Iacob and George Piștereanu. The film is now in cinemas across the country.

The Beasts (dir. Rodrigo Sorogoyen)

Antoine and Olga, a French couple settled in a small village in Spain, lead a quiet life dividing their time between tending their vegetable garden and restoring houses. A couple of the locals, however, feel constantly challenged by the presence of these individuals who don’t truly belong there. With every gesture, word and attitude, the two are unintentionally provocative, for there is no greater hatred than that which you feel for the one who is different from you.

Contradiction breeds anger, and anger breeds beasts. Tension slowly builds up throughout the whole film, which guarantees the audience an intense experience. The atmosphere becomes overwhelming as the action progresses and the resolution seems further away.

The Beasts runs in cinemas across the country.

Melissa Antonescu

Writer, photographer and videographer. For Films in Frame she writes news about the latest happenings in the film world and brings to the readers' attention the productions that can be seen at the cinema. When she's not writing articles, she's photographing people in a small studio or searching for new cake recipes.