The Secret of Pin-Up Island

Loved, loved that movie! I watched it during the Boston Sci-Film Festival and was pleasantly surprised by this creation of Romanian cinematography. It is very unusual but at the same time comforting and heartwarming story. In how it was made, it really reminded me of computer games that I played when I was a kid. While watching this movie you want to join the main character, Alesia, on her adventure. It was so exciting to explore all the rooms and to meet all the unique characters with her.

Closer to the halfway point of the movie, the viewer understands that the idea is much deeper than it appeared in the beginning. Through Alesia's journey it will make you think about your own feelings, your own life, your own past, and may even help you to resolve some of your own issues by the end of the film.

In addition, as a woman, I loved that almost all the characters are female. Their costumes and hair are so stylish as well! I could see a lot from 60s fashion, but with futuristic notes. The contrast between the bright yellow outfits and the grey interiors of the factory building was amazing! You can tell this was created by real artists.

A beautiful warm feeling filled my heart when I finished watching. It is an interesting sweet fairytale filled with mystery.

Give this movie one of your evenings. You will enjoy every moment of it!

Saw the premiere in Romania, and almost went to sleep. Characters lack depth and you can't really care about them. The story has loop holes, no buildup whatsoever. Animations are really amateur-ish.

They basically copied the idea of video games, the secret of monkey island, but everything was poorly put into place.

The dialogue was in e dubbed English, studio edited, you could see at many times bad lip sync, and not to mention the pronunciation which had the audience not really understand what the actors were meant to say in that scene.

The only thing to be appreciated was the stunning filming location of the abandoned film factory in targu mures romania.

Going into The Secret of Pin-Up Island, I thought I was in for a typical sci-fi or a quirky adventure story. Wow, was I wrong! What I found was an intelligent, deeply philosophical exploration of mental health, trauma, and self-reflection. The film uses symbols and metaphors in such a smart way that you can't help but dive deeper into the story with each scene.

As someone who has been in therapy for years, I truly appreciated how the film approached this subject. Mental health isn't something that's talked about enough, especially in Eastern Europe, and it's incredibly refreshing to see a film that tackles these issues head-on. Alecs Nastoiu has done a phenomenal job at creating a piece that resonates on so many levels. Rina Gri's performance as Alesia, especially in those long, thought-provoking monologues, reminded me of the patience needed to truly listen to someone with trauma. It's a film that challenges you - it requires your full attention, but if you give it that, it'll reward you in ways you didn't expect.

Great story with a script written ahead times and a very talented actress in the leading role that guides you through the epic line in such a way that you won't be realising when time goes by.

You'll be surprised to discover characters that might exist in your real life too. And that's the magic of a travel that although filmed in Romania, its worldwide available.

Does time stops when we close the doors of our past? Or it constantly reminds us of every piece of our life's puzzle?

Take your time and enjoy a psihological fairytale that will wake up all your emotions.

Congratulations to all the cast and crew!

📹👏🏻✨

I didn't know what to expect when I walked into The Secret of Pin-Up Island, but I left utterly mesmerized. The film dances between surrealism and reality, reminding me of the quirky absurdity of Jeunet's Delicatessen or the rich, allegorical storytelling of Emir Kusturica's Underground. The way the characters interact with each other, with exaggerated gestures and absurd moments, creates a unique atmosphere that is both unsettling and deeply emotional.

Rina Gri's performance as Alesia was unforgettable. There's something about her that evokes a sense of innocence, much like Giulietta Masina's characters, but there's also this deep, almost clown-like sadness that she carries with her. The ensemble cast is equally strong, each character contributing to the strange yet compelling world that Alecs Nastoiu has built. The film doesn't shy away from its experimental approach, and I respect that. It may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate bold, imaginative filmmaking, this is a must-see.

The final twist hit me hard, and I can't stop thinking about it. The film left me wanting to see it again, just to unravel all the layers of meaning. Hats off to Alecs Nastoiu for taking such creative risks and pulling it off with grace.