Capra cu trei iezi

Knowing the story that the movie is based on and knowing the story behind the movie, makes me appreciate this production even more.

The production quality based on the budget is amazing, they really managed to keep us right on the edge with the script and offer us visual comfort through the landscapes and representation of the Romanian countryside household.

It really was refreshing to watch a quality Romanian movie which brought back to the public eye a well known folk story with a powerful message.

And last but not least, the iconic actors were a perfect match for their roles. I would definitely not want to meet with the "wolf" by accident on the streets.

It's a 10 for me!

The stories of Ion Creanga are an obligatory read for every Romanian kid. We grew up with his tales, one of the most famous being Capra cu trei iezi. Only later, as adults we truly understand this is hardly a children's story and more a horror/thriller one. Victor Canache and his team did an amazing job on this story, honoring Romanian folklore yet bringing a breath of fresh air on a tale as old as time. The music creates and eery setting and contributes to the thrill. Maia Morgenstein is incredible as always and Marius Bodochi's rendition of the wolf is guaranteed to scare the **** out of anyone. Congrats and we are looking forward to more from the director.

The story by Creanga upon which this is based is essential reading in elementary school and a cautionary tale for children which has been adapted many times, perhaps most famously in the rock musical "Mama" (1976). This is a fond memory for many Romanians, so quite a few will be peeved to see it turned into a folk horror piece (like the infinitely worse Winnie the Pooh gore).

But I am from Transylvania and the story made sense in the past as there are many small farms scattered in the countryside which used to be targeted by thieves. Also, there are lots of stories about people turning crazy in our long winters, so this somber uptake is more on point than city dwellers may believe. We invented werewolves, after all (not vampires, they're from Serbia). The finish is how the story actually ends so it's more brutal than Little Red Riding Hood.

Maia Morgenstern is an icon of 1990s cinema, her best known film is probably "The Oak" (1992) by Lucian Pintilie but she hasn't done much in the past years, this is a great comeback for her.

Capra cu trei iezi is a romanian horror period piece featuring Maia Morgenstern and directed by Victor Canache.

This is an adaptation of the iconic fairytale from Romania 1875 by Ion Creanga. But unlike other fairytale adaptations, it's a much darker and adult take on the story.

As a drama, this movie is great. The actors bring this characthers to life in an impressive way. The movie is pretty short, each scene being relevant to the plot and I wasn't bored (almost) at all. The direction is immaculate: the editing and cinematography do a spectacular job of showing this quiet, isolated setting with a dark and misterious tone. The characthers, while barely of them likeable, have nice interactions that keep you engaged to see what will happen next

But enough with the hyperbolized praises, let's talk about the worst part of the movie: the horror element. As a horror movie, this is honestly the worst the genre has to offer. Overall tense and scary scenes are ruined by corny, out of touch editing that makes the movie feel like a parody. Characthers like Nanasu feel like carichatures, because the movie wants to take ths intimidating villain and make him some blood thristy maniac that comes off more like some Batman 1965 villain, rather than an unstoppable force. Also the characters, just like I've said, are unlikeable. And not just the villain: all of them. In this movie, unless you're a mean, grumpy person or downright a piece of trash, you have little to no power in this world. The mother is always angry and mean to her kids, sometimes even to the little kid who is presented as a pure heroic underdog. And I know that her older kids are mean pieces of rubbish too, but when they're eventually killed, it doesn't really feel like they're the victims 'cause 1. They're unlikeable, non-relatable brats and 2. They pretty much guilty of their deaths. And of course I'm sorry, but if the movie put them in a somewhat more positive spot, their deaths would've felt much sadder, since the audience had an emotional connection with them.

So yeah, it's flawed, but I don't think it's bad like others say.

I went into this movie with my only expectation being good cinematography and stayed for everything else.

(I should mention, this is *not* an exploration intro Romanian folklore or traditions which is why many people, other Romanians, don't like it. But opinions are split. Without the bias this is a good movie)

It's a great movie that definitely overcomes its small budget. There's no monster more terrifying than human nature and I think the psychological horror here shows it quite well.

The actors are really good and not even the child actors feel jarring.

I think that what most people get wrong about it is the idea that it will stick to folklore which is ultimately quite a stupid thing to expect from a psychological horror slasher. It keeps the main idea of the folk tale and frankly even though it's predictable it still surpasses expectations.

Yes it has its hiccups hence why it's not a 10/10. The child actors do have their ups and downs, some things are left a little too disturbingly vague (although this is just my personal opinion and some may see them as a good thing), and of course what I can only assume are limitations considering the budget of the movie

But comparing this to other recent horror movies this is really good. No jumpscares, no bad CGI, this movie although not perfect is very much a treat. I highly recommend it.