Blog Details

11/35

References to Rocky (1976)

Story

During the Romanian revolution of 1989, Sibiu witnesses a violent attack on a police station which escalates into armed clashes between soldiers, police, protesters and the secret police. This film is a technically well-made, utter failure.

I was there during that revolution

It features the hallmark of bad acting: actors shouting their lines the whole time. It presents the hallmark of a bad scenario: no closure, no catharsis.

Then came the summary trial of the dictator on a Christmas Day (later followed by the miners’ revolts, etc)

Everyone was trying to figure out what our fate would be next, whether we would end up in the EU or the Russians would take over. People were trying to figure out if their friends were still alive, if they would still have a job the next day.

Slapstick with historically accurate scenography

None of that was the subject of the film. The marketing machine behind it and the official support ensured a sold-out cinema.

Not even on the same level as well-made modern Romanian thrillers like Boss (2023)

However, this is not on the same level as the new Romanian cinema that has been disrupting European cinema in recent years (4-3-2, Beyond the Hills, Aferim, etc.).

AFTERWARDS 2025 MAGNET