O Carvalho

For a Romanian who has fled Ceausescu's brutality in 1985,this film is not only a revenge but also a proof that even in the darkest political system talent can survive because everyone who is implicated in the creation of this masterpiece(director,screenwriters,actors,crew grew,studied and worked in the "socialist paradise". I have seen the film twice; at first I was a little shocked by its "naturalism" and only later I realized that this was the life for at least 90% of the Romanians. Of course only somebody who grew in a communist country can fully appreciate the film's realism,its brutal black humor but I think the real message transcends this : one must fight for his ideals,there is always hope!

Lucian Pintilie finds a remarkable balance between bitter ironic comedy and unflinching political analysis in this breathtaking film. This is a key work in the "post cold war" era that should be seen by anyone who really appreciates the art and craft of cinema. This is a narrative of our time, told with bold, brave abandoned. The screenplay is one of the best of the 1990's and the performances are flawless. The film's actual rootedness in Romainian politics and culture is refreshing in an era of often compromised Euro-co-productions. It is this specificity that actually opens the door to "universal" themes and values.

Actually the Romanian title of the movie would be "Balance" or "Scales" or "Steel Yard", pick the word most appropriate to your liking for the weight measuring gadget. The international titles (The Oak, la Chene) are linked to the last scene of the movie that metaphorically wraps up significations. The main characters have found the long sought, yet not traceable balance, equilibrium.

Why did I say that it depicts humiliation of intelligence and culture? In communist Romania people that graduated university or college were repartitioned to a job matching their studies. Only the luckiest got a repartition in a large city. Others were summoned for life in hamlets, as you could not promote or change your repartition unless joining the Party. That's the case with the leading character (Maia Morgenstern) that graduated Psichology in Paris, and was repartitioned in Copsa Mica, the most polluted city in Romania.

The caravan of insults starts with the train journey to her new work place. She is forced to switch trains in the night, take her clothes off in the presence of strangers, and ride 400 km standing in an overcrowded train. As she reaches Copsa Mica some people try to rape her, police torture and threaten her, and so on.

To certify the adage that special people congregate the Psichology graduate meets a funky doctor, that manages to elude the system by being some kind of a joker. Then the rejoicing begins as these 2 people get to know each other.

When they decide under the oak tree to give birth to a child she says: "I pray he won't be normal" and he responds "If he'll be normal I'll kill him with my own hands." For these two people being "normal" meant the supreme course. Everybody around was dull, normal and communist. Enjoy!

At the time I read the book the film is based on, it was a reflection of the reality surrounding us, in Romania, therefore after the first print it was banned by the Ceausescu's communist regime. As time went by, I emigrated in the US, and seen the movie 10 years after I've read the book and although the movie supposedly is a fiction, it played like a documentary in front of my eyes. It is hard, as a Romanian, to disconnect from my personal experiences, but if anybody is interested in what the communism in Romania was like, this movie is the way to find out. The tragic and the comedy are coming together to weave the fabric of a society so sick, that life becomes surreal. For my money this is a great movie, the fresco of a society governed by rules unknown to civilization.

This is the opposite of a Hollywood movie. This is a piece of reality and there is nothing glamorous about it. That's what makes "The Oak" a great movie, an experience to remember.

I am Romanian and I avoided this movie when I was in Romania, because of its subject. Last weekend, I found it in a video store in Seattle and I had to rent it. I am very glad I did and recommend it to all the European film lovers. It will give you an idea (in case you didn't experience it yourself) of what living under the communism meant, with all the pain, frustration and the happier moments.