In Inima Nationalei

"In Inima Nationalei" is a captivating documentary that chronicles the Romanian national football team's journey to qualify for the UEFA European Championship. The film is rich in emotion and provides an insider's perspective on the highs and lows faced by the team, making it a must-watch for football fans and those who appreciate compelling sports stories.

The documentary delves deep into the behind-the-scenes moments that are often hidden from the public eye. Viewers are treated to an array of unseen footage from the locker rooms, capturing the raw emotions of the players and coaching staff. These intimate glimpses showcase the camaraderie, tension, and determination that drive the team forward.

What sets "In Inima Nationalei" apart is its ability to convey the passion and resilience of the Romanian team. The film not only highlights the strategic and technical aspects of their journey but also emphasizes the personal stories and sacrifices of the players. This blend of personal and professional narratives creates a powerful and engaging experience for the audience.

The film's narrative is enhanced by its impressive cinematography and editing, which seamlessly blend the on-field action with off-field drama. The use of real-time match footage intertwined with personal interviews and behind-the-scenes clips creates a comprehensive and immersive viewing experience.

Excellent experience with a twist of emotional & courage.

An unmissable film for you and your family.

A story like you've never seen before about cleanliness and determination, hard work and willpower.

I recommend to everyone who wants to learn life stories.

A perfect film for an evening spent with family or friends.

"In Inima Nationalei" is a film that excels in showcasing the off-pitch dynamics that are crucial to the team's performance. From pre-match strategies discussed in the locker rooms to the motivational speeches given by the coach, every scene is filled with raw, unfiltered emotion. These candid moments provide a unique window into the psychological and emotional state of the players, making the film relatable and engaging. It offers a unique and comprehensive look at what it takes to compete at the highest level, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in sports, teamwork, and perseverance.

The film not only chronicles the highs and lows of the qualification process but also delves deep into the personal stories of the players.

A really emotional movie, offering an intimate look at the passion, struggles, and triumphs of a team united by dedication and perseverance.

It's narrative approach creates a deep connection with the audience, making every victory feel personal. It's a film that will leave you with goosebumps, regardless of whether you're a die-hard football fan or a casual viewer.

What sets "In Inima Nationalei" apart is its focus on the human element of the sport. Interviews with players reveal their personal struggles, sacrifices, and the immense pressure they face.

The sheer inflation of sports documentaries has significantly lowered the threshold of what constitutes substantial material worthy of exploration. What sets this movie apart is the choice to release it in cinemas, when it really belongs on a streaming platform. That said, it's a competently assembled piece of work, which manages to capture glimmers of personality from its subjects and, arguably, achieves what it sets out to do: PR for the National Team and Romanian football. And looking at the crop of reviews published here on the 14th of May, the PR team has been doing some overtime.

Let's start with the upside: 2024 is a good year to be a football fan in Romania, as "Inima Nationalei" follows the nostalgia-driven and considerably more historically relevant "Hai, Romania!", about the Golden Generation of the 1990s. This time around, we're looking back upon today's national team and its path to Euro 2024, the first time Romania has qualified since 2016 to an event at this level of prestige.

Director Remus Achim interviews a fair few players that are a part of this new generation, which has shown moments of promise ever since it reached the semifinals of the 2019 EURO U21 competition. It's an interesting enough set of characters, blessed with varying amounts of charisma, but who have heartfelt origin stories and are distinctive enough to set themselves apart. Perhaps the main thematic focus, beyond the usual sporting fares about grit, determination and passion, is that of walking in the long shadow of successful parents - with Razvan Marin, Ianis Hagi and manager Edward Iordanescu all having to reckon with and justify themselves for illustrious father-footballers. And if there is any really memorable material in Inima Nationalei, it lies here.

The rest is a collection of montages from the matches and Iordanescu's motivational talks, which play repetitively and without any real dramatic pacing over the (surprising) 103 minute runtime of the film. Framed within the context of the team's revival after a couple of listless qualifying campaigns, one has to appreciate that Iordanescu has managed to assemble a good group of players, galvanizing both them and the fans with the undefeated qualifying run. As journalist Catalin Oprisan, who is the most entertaining character of this story, underlines though - it always feels like it's not quite enough, like pleasing the fans is a Sisyphean task.

Overall, I rate In Inima Nationalei as a satisfying production for the fans, that falls short however in finding a good dramatic structure and being ambitious enough to elicit emotional investment from the (neutral) viewer.