Marfa si banii

This film is a very good example that the idea, even though is not the only important thing for a movie, is the key point. With a very limited budget, a single basic camera with sound recorded live and a few characters played by very natural acting, young performers. It was like they never knew that they are filmed. Anyway this is a must see movie especially for Romanian speaking viewers. So, take some sun-flowers seeds - not popcorn - and enjoy.

I do not agree with the people who say that this movie has a lot of useless scenes in it.

We say this because we are used to movies in which a lot happens, quick scenes following each other accompanied with "meaningfull" music. Every word the actors say may seem improvised, but it's very well chosen. And it's so realistic at times it hurts to be Romanian. Coz it's simply true. When the movie seems to fall in a kind of trance, you suddenly wake up. The suspense is held up to the very last moment. If any other can make such a movie with no budget, he may eat the director alive ( his name literally means chicken). Puiu put the first step to the rehabilitation of the Romanian culture and cinema.

Bravo

You must see this simple very good movie. It's like acting is from real life

Ovidiu lives at home with his parents and dreams of opening his own shop. Then he is offered a rather large sum of cash to deliver some parcels of 'medicine' to some address in Bucharest. This offer comes from local crime boss and all round unsavoury type – Ivanov Marcel.

Ovidiu decides to take along his best mate, Vali, as he can drive and he has the van and what is more Ovidiu's mum wants him to do the shopping on the way home. On the trip they will discover a lot about each other and why taking large amounts of money for a seemingly easy gig is not always the brightest idea.

Now this is a comedy and there are some very well realised moments in this, but some do not seem to translate very well. It is a small cast and budget but does not really lack for it. The lad's views on the desirability of the Dacia motor car are in themselves are enough to keep any petrol head amused. I also learnt that the Romanians have a word for 'knackered' which was nice to know. The acting is all good too and it has a down to earth feel that is in keeping with the disposition of the people involved; all in all an enjoyable watch.

"Marfa si banii" remains one of the most remarkable films. For freshness and for simplicity. For performances. And for the mark of a remarkable Romanian director. A film in which the bitter humor and the profound honesty about Romania after 1989 are good tools for a well crafted story and a precise diagnosis about a world in wake-up level, who has as basic purpose to survive. A smart film. And the personal mark of Cristi Puiu.