Fata Morgana

A very good movie for the communist cinematography. An appealing romance, some action and some humour. The 80s were somehow tense in the society and censorship was putting pressure on the Romanian cinema.

The movie still suceeds to reveal some hidden traits of that period, including the presence of western brands of cigarettes only available to the communist elite. And here the elite is Virgil and Virgil' father who is the head of a major construction site. Another revelation is the forced promotion of uneducated persons in the military.

Lastly, the main musical theme that you can hear in its entirety in the opening credits is one of the most beautiful in the Romanian cinema.

When I saw the movie, in 1984, I imagined is about me: same nasty, rebel but romantic guy, failed for college, always looking for fun with girls. When I was enlisted by authorities for army, I was astonished when I found I will do my duty in the same way as Virgil: TANK-MAN. Unfortunately I had no visit from a girl, and I never had the opportunity to yell "CRISTINAAA, ERA CRISTINA!". I dreamed to have a girlfriend like Cristina, I wished to be loved like in this movie, but I think it is possible only in movies. In that communist time this movie was one of the best I could see in cinema. Maybe not so many readers of this comment will have the opportunity to see this movie, but I recommend it to all people who lived in a communist country.