12:08 East of Bucharest (2006)
This film was a mix of comedy, tragedy, and politics. It follows three men during one day in a small town in Romania - the local news broadcaster is setting up a special programme about the anniversary of the revolution, and he invites the history teacher and another fellow (who used to play the town's Santa) to join him on it. The discussion is over whether or not anyone protested on the day of the revolution prior to Ceausescu resigning (at 12:08 pm). If so, then their small town can legitimately claim that they were "part of the revolution". The entire point of the film is that the revolution didn't really change much in their town. The drunk is still a drunk, the successful accountant is still successful (now as a wealthy farm owner), and so on.
Not everything works in this film, but there are a couple of high points. First, this really captures the feel of a small town. I grew up in one (albeit in Pennsylvania) and many little bits rang true, especially the part about how, no matter what changes in the world outside, small towns follow their own natural laws of change. Second, there was a brilliant bit near the end. During the entire T.V. programme, you're aware that you are watching through the camera in the T.V. studio - it goes in and out of focus, for example. Now, when the show ends, the men get up and leave. We're still stuck watching through that camera as the camera operator goes around and cleans up. He then walks out of the room and flips off the light. There's this amazing feeling of being trapped that occurs at that moment. It's too bad that it isn't used to it's fullest extent here. Feeling trapped is certainly an aspect of living in a small town, but it's never really discussed before or afterwards, so I'm forced to assume that the filmmakers are content to just be playing with our perception of the film. Too bad. It could have been brilliant, and I've filed the concept away for future reference if I ever write a screenplay.
Verdict: Good, not great. More interested in presentation than ideas or emotions. I recommend the film for the humour and truths about life in a small town.