Balanta (1992)

Director:

Lucian Pintilie

Writers:

Ion Baiesu (novel)
Lucian Pintilie (writer)

Release Date:

22 January 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A description of Romania before Ceausescu's downfall, through the story of Nela. Daughter of a former colonel of the Securitate...

Plot Keywords:

Romania | Politics | Based On Novel

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Maia Morgenstern	...	Nela
Razvan Vasilescu	...	Mitica
Victor Rebengiuc	...	Village mayor
Dorel Visan	...	Country Priest
Ion Pavlescu
Mariana Mihut	...	Priest's wife
Gheorghe Visu	...	Priest in the train
Dan Condurache	...	Prosecutor
Virgil Andriescu	...	Nela's father
Matei Alexandru	...	Butusina
Leopoldina Balanuta	...	Nela's mother
Magda Catone	...	Mitica's assistant
Ionel Mihailescu	...	Titi
Dorina Lazar
Vasile Popa

Also Known As:

Le chêne (France)
Stejarul (Romania)
The Oak (USA)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

France | Romania

Language:

Romanian

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Romania

Company:

MK2 Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cortul (1998)

Delusion

Society has always been depraved and almost worthless in its general aspects. Now, to look at how people behave during a detention-like state is even more interesting, which swiftly brings me to the following affirmation: living under a dictatorship draws a clear distinction between the elite and the rest. It elevates true values, which unfortunately have to be kept under secrecy due to the paranoid mentality of the government. But the beauty of it, the absolute splendor is to see how these courageous people come together, despite having to sacrifice and risk a lot. I suppose people with similar traits are drawn to one another out of pure instinct.

"Balanta" portrays the destiny of two people who daringly oppose the regime, not for their own fate, but for the fate of those around them who deserve it. Their brave madness is shockingly amusing and thrives within the viewer. Even though playing against the rules can be very tricky, if done according to the (unwritten) book, it can prove extremely rewarding, especially for the spirit. Despite its sometimes eye-brow raising dialogue, Maia Morgenstern and Razvan Vasilescu scratch up reasonably good and humorous performances, pumping adrenaline into the film itself.

The movie is an awe-inspiring tribute to those who could(can) simply not adapt to the nearly psychotic way of life lead by many under totalitarian regimes. Pintile cleverly points out the discrepancies between "actual" normality and the state of things during times when normal becomes strangely unfamiliar. "Balanta" is a worthy picture, especially given its controversial nature.