A fost sau n-a fost?
Corneliu Porumboiu
Romania | 2006 | 89 min
Language : Romanian
Subtitles : French, English
Sixteen years after the fateful day, the host of a local television station invites two witnesses to debate the role of their town in the overthrowing of Ceaușescu. From foggy memories to contradictory accounts, things take a farcical turn, revealing the difficulty of distinguishing history from myth. A brilliant first film that swings between hilarity and indignation.
It is a freezing December 22nd in Vaslui, in the historic region of Romanian Moldavia, sixteen years after the revolution. Jderescu, a local talk show host, has organised a live debate. Tucked behind a desk in the show's dilapidated studio, Jderescu and his guests try to answer one simple question: did their town play a part in the revolution, and can it claim a share of the glory?
In his deliciously caustic directorial debut, Porumboiu hilariously showcases the absurdity of this exercise in collective memory. With its unverifiable testimonies, blunders, and other unforeseen circumstances, the quest for truth becomes a farce. While 12:08 East of Bucharest casts a wry eye on proceedings, it remains shot through with a certain melancholy, bolstered by the bitter observation of a Romania unable to transform the heritage of the revolution into actual progress. This black comedy heralded the arrival on the screen of a major filmmaker and an alchemist of genres.
James Berclaz-Lewis
In his deliciously caustic directorial debut, Porumboiu hilariously showcases the absurdity of this exercise in collective memory. With its unverifiable testimonies, blunders, and other unforeseen circumstances, the quest for truth becomes a farce. While 12:08 East of Bucharest casts a wry eye on proceedings, it remains shot through with a certain melancholy, bolstered by the bitter observation of a Romania unable to transform the heritage of the revolution into actual progress. This black comedy heralded the arrival on the screen of a major filmmaker and an alchemist of genres.
James Berclaz-Lewis
The Whistlers, 2019
Infinite Football, 2018
The Treasure, 2015
The Second Game, 2014
When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism, 2013
Police, Adjective, 2009
12:08 East of Bucharest, 2006
Liviu’s Dream, 2004
A Trip to the City, 2003
Telephone Number Temporarily Suspended, 2002
Gone with the Wine, 2002
Love … Story, 2001
Graffiti, 2000
Infinite Football, 2018
The Treasure, 2015
The Second Game, 2014
When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism, 2013
Police, Adjective, 2009
12:08 East of Bucharest, 2006
Liviu’s Dream, 2004
A Trip to the City, 2003
Telephone Number Temporarily Suspended, 2002
Gone with the Wine, 2002
Love … Story, 2001
Graffiti, 2000
Screenings and tickets
Monday 7 April 2025 18:30
Capitole Fellini, Nyon
Trailer
Screenplay
Corneliu Porumboiu
Photography
Marius Panduru
Editing
Roxana Szel
Sound
Alex Dragomir
Music
Rotaria
Production
Corneliu Porumboiu
