Plot
Set in early 19th century Romania, a policeman, Costandin, is hired by a nobleman to find a Gypsy slave who has run away from his estate after having an affair with his wife.
Release Year: 2015
Rating: 7.9/10 (2,498 voted)
Critic's Score: 87/100
Director: Radu Jude
Stars: Teodor Corban, Mihai Comanoiu, Toma Cuzin
Storyline
Set in early 19th century Wallachia, when a local policeman, Costandin, is hired by Iordache, a boyar (local noble), to find Carfin, a Gypsy slave who had run away from the boyar's estate after having an affair with his wife, Sultana. Costandin sets out to find the fugitive, beginning a journey full of adventures. Gypsy slavery lasted from the 14th century up until the middle of the 19th century, a situation which is very little known and almost nonexistent in the public debate today, although its impact continues to influence Romania's social life.
Writers: Radu Jude, Florin Lazarescu
Cast: Teodor Corban -
Costandin
Mihai Comanoiu -
Ionita
Toma Cuzin -
Carfin Pandolean
Alexandru Dabija -
Iordache Cîndescu
Luminita Gheorghiu -
Smaranda Cîndescu
Victor Rebengiuc -
Stan Paraschiv
Alberto Dinache -
Alexandru Bindea -
Priest on the road
Mihaela Sirbu -
Adina Cristescu -
Serban Pavlu -
Gabriel Spahiu -
Mihaela Drãgan -
Carfin's Wife
Puiu Mircea Lascus -
Hangiul
Daniel Visan -
Caldasin
Country: Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France
Language: Romanian, Turkish, Romany
Release Date: 22 January 2016
Filming Locations: Romania
Box Office Details
Budget: €1,250,000
(estimated)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
19th-century Wallachia was heavily influenced by the Ottoman Empire, and the word "aferim" is Turkish for "bravo". Director Radu Jude said in the N.Y. Times (Sept. 8, 2015) that the word appears often in historical documents and therefore came to be part of the story, adding a touch of irony: "The characters in the film say 'Aferim!' to each other as they feel they are doing the right thing," he said. "It is very symbolic, this aspect." See more »
Goofs:
When Carfin gets neutered, there is no blood spilled. See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 10/10
I think it's almost impossible for someone who is not a Romanian
speaker to really get most of the dialog in this movie. There are a lot
of archaic words and expressions from funny to sad or contemplative
that are for sure lost in translation. I am a Romanian, born and raised
in this country, and I didn't understand 30-35 % of the words. I have
to see it again with subtitles on to fully appreciate the mesmerizing
Wallachian dialect. It's a great movie nonetheless, with beautiful
cinematography and solid performances from the actors, so I strongly
recommend it to anyone who wants to see how life was 200 years ago in
Romania.
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