Balaur

A film that makes you think of French cinema. Alexandru Papadopol was well chosen for the role of the priest. His physique and the level of his performance help the character a lot. I never liked this actor and I don't like priests in general, so for me this role is a very pleasant and unexpected surprise. Alexandru Papadopol plays his part well until the end, being very credible. Mãlina Manovici is a sensual, expressive actress who conveys a lot, knowing how to hide a girl full of carnal desires under an angelic face. There would be a lot to say about the subject matter of the film, but that's another topic. In conclusion, a well-made film, along with Neidentificat (2020).

In Romanian folklore, the Balaur is a many-headed dragon that symbolises Evil to be overcome by the hero of the story. In the film, this translates to a dark study of the impasse within the religious teacher Ecaterina. She believes that every person is free to choose, but is herself unhappy with her life as the wife of the local priest. Wrestling with the question of whether freedom is compatible with faith, Ecaterina finds herself attracted to one of her pupils, the sixteen-year-old Iuliu, who falls hopelessly in love with her. Their initial little secrets and lies threaten to take on monstrous proportions. For his first feature film, which can rely on strong performances, director Octav Chelaru himself wrote an intriguing screenplay. Those familiar with Romanian cinema of the past two decades know that it rarely disappoints.

A truly enjoyable cinema experience. It has humour, tension, rhythm and very, very good performances from all the main cast. Alexandru Papadopol is very convincing as a the dispassionate priest.

The slow pace, deliberate classicism, and thematics of this debut film would easily serve as arguments for shipping it off as "another one of those East European dramas" that have been practically mass-produced in recent years. This would be to overlook the fact that Chelaru's feature film unmasks the patriarchal workings with astonishing maturity, often at the turn of a shot or a dialogue.

Passed under all the major radars, this story about the perilous relationship between a Religion teacher married to an Orthodox priest and one of her underage students certainly does not have the subversive charge of a Radu Jude, but can boast of a beautiful suspense where we can guess the influence of Michael Haneke.

A very well written and well made film. I only say well done and not perfect because it felt a bit too long. Maybe an extra dynamism would have made it much more attractive. But besides this, I can say that I really liked it. It managed to capture my attention and kept me in suspense till the end. Congratulations to the whole team!

I want to refer particularly on the actors. The two boys Florin (Voicu Dumitras) and especially Iuliu (Sergiu Smerea) are very good. They succeed in roles in which they are natural, deeply assumed, believable. They leave the impression in everything they do that there's a connection between them and the director, with the help of which he's been able to convey to them what he wants from them, and they feel comfortable with the lessons learned, so to speak. Good for them!

I don't want to end without mentioning the main actress: Mãlina Manovici, who practically carries all the burden of this film, plays an extraordinary role here that can be a good example for any acting student. And in her case, as with the boys, there is a good collaboration with the director, with whom she managed to create memorable moments. I just want to mention the scene in the principal's office which I really liked and which shows that you can write good dialogues that give the actors the opportunity to act something worth watching. Bravo, Gabriel Spahiu, Richard Bovnoczki and Mãlina Manovici!

Also, wonderful frame with the two doors and the crucifix between them. Bravo! I wonder if those two doors really exist or were specially made. Anyway, awesome.

I'll say now what I didn't like: I don't like the title and I don't think it helps the movie, on the contrary. It probably means something. I didn't understand what, but... well, that's the filmmakers' option. A lot of scenes that could be missing and so maybe it would have been a little more dynamic.

I can't say anything about the cinematography, editing, production design, nothing caught my eye because I was stolen by the story, so everything is fine.

What a pity that there are so few good films. This one is a drop in the ocean of bad Romanian films produced in recent years. Unfortunately, those movies have ruined the mood for cinema for the majority of Romanian viewers.

Congratulations, everyone!