4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days is a Romanian film by first-time director Cristian Mungiu. I saw it at MIFF this year and it has now been released in Australia.
Although Mungiu “abstained from using any kind of… direct communist landmarks” (as he says), there is such a strong sense of the period of 1980s Romania, the atmosphere is so oppresssive yet the film isn’t overtly political. Mungiu’s long introduction to the film takes place in a dormitory and has received criticism for its lack of contribution to the narrative. Yet, its these scenes that contribute to the creation of this atmosphere and particular aesthetic of Romania in 1987.
David Stratton interviews Cristian Mungiu here.
The films tracks two friends, one of whom is trying to get an abortion (illegal in Romania under the Ceausescu regime). It adds yet another unique political situation to add to the plethora of films we’ve watched throughout the course that deal with specific historical/political circumstances.
The film deals with this idea of institutional control over individuals and how people then respond.
Mungiu’s long takes (many scenes are shot is one take) provide a further demonstration of the open image. The characters often walk in and out of the frame, or the camera situates itself on one player in a two-people conversation.
Good review here from Variety.
What does Ceausescu’s regime look like? What does it feel like? How do our senses perceive this as an atmosphere of oppression/rigidity/the last days of communism?
How do we describe this aesthetic
-the colour palate is greys and blues
-it is dull, grim, real
-there is a sense of something looming, a presence
-it is also personal as the story of friendship and stregth at the heart of this film and in Ottilia’s character
I read in a discussion (link below) that it is difficult for Romanian women who lived in that time to watch this film. So Mungiu has been so successful in capturing the aesthetic of this communist regime. I suppose then this is one way of understanding Jacques Ranciere’s aesthetic regime of this arts, in terms of political regimes of governance. Regimes that have existed in history and can be looked back upon and represented.
review here on cinematical and good discussion below it.
