4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

“4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile”

Drama |

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is a Romanian art film with drama and thriller elements, written and directed by Cristian Mungiu and starring Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, and Vlad Ivanov. The film is set in Communist Romania in the final years of the Nicolae Ceaușescu era. It tells the story of two students, roommates in a university dormitory, who try to procure an illegal abortion. Inspired by an anecdote from the period and the general social historic context, it depicts the loyalty of the two friends and the struggles they face.

Mungiu and cinematographer Oleg Mutu shot it in Bucharest and other Romanian locations in 2006. After making its world premiere at Cannes, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days made its Romanian debut on 1 June 2007, at the Transilvania International Film Festival. It opened to critical acclaim, and was noted for its minimalism and intense themes.

In 1987, two university students in an unnamed Romanian town, Otilia Mihartescu and Gabriela “Găbița” Dragut, are roommates in a dormitory. When Găbița becomes pregnant, the two young women arrange a meeting with Mr. Bebe in a hotel, where he is to perform an illegal abortion. At the college dorm, Găbița and Otilia review the items they need for the day. As Găbița nervously sits and waits, Otilia barters and buys soap and cigarettes from the dormitory shop. Afterwards, Otilia takes a bus to visit her boyfriend Adi, from whom she borrows money. Adi asks Otilia to visit his family that night, as it is his mother’s birthday. Otilia initially declines, relenting after Adi becomes upset.

Director: Cristian Mungiu

Writer: Cristian Mungiu

Stars: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean, Luminita Gheorghiu, Adi Carauleanu, Liliana Mocanu

Cast:

Anamaria Marinca	…	Otilia Mihartescu
Laura Vasiliu	…	Gabita Dragut
Vlad Ivanov	…	Viorel Bebe
Alexandru Potocean	…	Adi Radu (as Alex Potocean)
Luminita Gheorghiu	…	Gina Radu
Adi Carauleanu	…	Dr. Radu
Liliana Mocanu	…	Unireal Hotel Receptionist
Tania Popa	…	Night Receptionist
Teodor Corban	…	Unireal Hotel Receptionist (as Teo Corban)
Cerasela Iosifescu	…	Tineretului Hotel Receptionist
Doru Ana	…	Benzanirul
Eugenia Bosânceanu	…	Viorel Bebe’s Mother
Ion Sapdaru	…	Dr. Rusu (as Ioan Sapdaru)
Cristina Burbuz	…	Marie-Jeanne Rusu (as Cristina Buburuz)
Marioara Sterian	…	Adela Racoviceanu
Emil Coseru	…	Dr. Racoviceanu
Georgeta Paduraru Burdujan	…	Mrs. Aldea
Geo Dobre	…	Dr. Aldea
Madalina Ghitescu	…	Dora
Catalina Harabagiu	…	Mihaela
Sanziana Tarta	…	Carmen
Mihaela Alexandru	…	Daniela
Hazim E’Layan	…	Ahmed
Monica Alexandrescu	…	Soldier
Simona Stoicescu	…	Soldier
Alexandru Conovaru	…	Man in the Station
Ion Grosu	…	Goalkeeper
Traian Tudorica State	…	Waiter
Cristian Ciuzan	…	Medical
Daniel Cristian Iancu	…	Militia (as Iancu Daniel)
Robert Emanuel	…	Militia
Constantin Bojog	…	Marcu
Cristina Iosif	…	Medical
Adina Cristescu	…	Bride
Calin Puia	…	Windbag
Costica Babu	…	Gabita’s Father (as Costica Babii)

Sources: imdb & wikipedia