California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) (2007)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Cristian Nemescu

Writers:

Catherine Linstrum (writer)
Cristian Nemescu (writer)

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | War

Plot:

A railway chief delays a NATO train transporting military equipment during the war in Kosovo in 1999. |

Plot Keywords:

Train | Kosovo | Yugoslav | Kosovo War | American Dream

Awards:

9 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Cpt. Doug Jones
Jamie Elman	...	Sg. David McLaren
Razvan Vasilescu	...	Doiaru
Maria Dinulescu	...	Monica
Alexandru Margineanu	...	Andrei (as Alex Margineanu)
Ion Sapdaru	...	The Mayor
Alexandru Dragoi	...	Rodriguez
Andi Vasluianu	...	Soldier Marian (as Andrei Vasluianu)
Sabina Branduse	...	Despina
Gabriel Spahiu	...	Trade Union Chief
Radu Gabriel	...	Stelica
Constantin Dita	...	Paul
Eduard Dumitru	...	Mitroi
Alexandru Georgescu	...	Corporal Tanase
Cristi Olesher	...	Young Doiaru

Also Known As:

California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) (Europe: English title) (festival title)
Nesfarsit (Romania)

Runtime:

155 min

Country:

Romania

Language:

English | Romanian | Spanish | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Media Pro Pictures

Soundtrack:

Inel, Inel de aur

Cristian Nemescu conquered immortality...

Cristian Nemescu's Cannes award wining movie, California Dreaming manages to exceptionally underline the issue of globalization, bureaucracy, the international image of the United States and it's actions, opportunism; also some of the bitter realities of Romanian administration, politics, mentality and the servility regarding foreigners that is found in this country way of thinking; everything is spinning around an old local obsession from 1944 when all of Romania was waiting for the US Forces to arrive and liberate it from the occupants; the viewer is surprised several times by different cues(lines) that are more or less subtle and what is impressive is that with only one phrase some of the characters manage to create powerful images and scenes. The arrival of the Americans in the Capalnita Village it is seen by locals as a unique chance to live a better life and in their attempt to distinguish themselves, the villagers become capable to give rise to amazing actions never seen before in the community even though in the end all becomes so very ridiculous and ironically for both of the sides(the US Marines and the Romanians)but for different reasons: the Americans because of their unstoppable urge to leave and being stuck in the middle of nowhere and the villagers for their desire to lure and impress the new arrived guests. Another thing to remind is the brilliant black and white scenes mixed in the movie, which present a story from The Second World War, aspects which are essential for the viewer to understand the mentality of one of the most important character named Doianu, the one who actually starts the main plot. The overall impression is that of a movie with a great script, very well played, fascinating situations, but above all so very exceptional directed.