Nu filmam sa ne amuzam

From the ocean of communist propaganda productions made until 1990, as a miracle, there were a few exceptions. One such exception is this film signed by Iulian Mihu, who also signed other exceptional movies: "Felix and Otilia" or "The Pale Light of Pain". This "We don't film to have fun" is in fact unique in Romanian cinema, from all points of view. First of all, it's original, non conformist and has value. It's film in film, alert, filmed very dynamic, with intelligent and daring lines, which flow one after the other. Toma Caragiu and Gheorghe Dinica are in great shape. Aristide Teica, an actor with a special comic potential, unfortunately not evaluated in communism at fair value, makes a unique and funny presence in the role of the man trying to get free food from the restaurant canteen. Gina Patrichi is very natural as always. The other ladies, Violeta Andrei, Flavia Buref, Angela Stoenescu, Aimee Iacobescu, are all better than in any other film in which they have appeared.

As a stranger to East-European (communist) comedy, it could be hard to identify the different irony styles from the region. Probably the Czechs do it the best, with the Serbians closely following up, then Russians, Poles etc.

Romanian movies are not much known for comedies, but for tragedies and general dramas, nevertheless when comedies are stingy ironies, full of tragedy, there are a few that deserve respect, and this one probably stands in the top three of the pre-'89 era.

Watch it, maybe it's not real, but certainly not fake, and still amazes me as it wasn't removed from public audiences.