Director: Cristian Mungiu Year: 2007 Rating: 8.5 Country:
Romania
Horror comes in all forms. Here it is presented in a spiritually barren
world where the banality and indifference of society is more frightening
than anything that comes in the form of the supernatural because it feels
all too real, all too possible. Set in communist Romania in 1987 the title
refers to the length of the life of the baby that Gabita is carrying. She
is a university student and along with her loyal friend Otilia, they have
made plans to abort it. This is a red cruel slice of life as it depicts one
brutal frantic day in their lives in perhaps more realistic fashion than
many of us can stomach. This is a dysfunctional society where everything
is up for barter – either in the black market or under the table with bribes.
Or with sex. With Gabita in a helpless state, Otilia sets about organizing
everything from borrowing the money, to reserving a hotel room to contacting
the illegal abortionist. Using primarily a handheld camera the director gives
everything a sense of urgency, a sense of instability, a sense of loss. It
is often hard to watch because it is presented so matter of factly with not
an ounce of compassion - yet with understanding. It is also very nonjudgmental
about a very sensitive subject that will make some squirm. Truly gut wrenching
and startlingly powerful, it will stick to you long after Otilia’s final
exhausted stare into the camera has faded away.
