IMDb >
Balanta (1992)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBalanta (1992) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 3 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
22 January 1993 (USA) morePlot:
A description of Romania before Ceausescu's downfall, through the story of Nela. Daughter of a former colonel of the Securitate... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins moreUser Comments:
Best Romanian Film Depicting Communist Humiliation of Intelligence and Culture moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
105 minLanguage:
RomanianColor:
Color (Fujicolor)Sound Mix:
StereoCertification:
Argentina:13Filming Locations:
RomaniaFun Stuff
FAQ
Was the bus massacre shown near the end of the film based on real facts?more
more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Balanta (1992)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Terminus paradis | Entre chiens et loups | Un été inoubliable | Prea târziu | Pa-ra-da |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb France section | Add this title to MyMovies |




Actually the Romanian title of the movie would be "Balance" or "Scales" or "Steel Yard", pick the word most appropriate to your liking for the weight measuring gadget. The international titles (The Oak, la Chene) are linked to the last scene of the movie that metaphorically wraps up significations. The main characters have found the long sought, yet not traceable balance, equilibrium.
Why did I say that it depicts humiliation of intelligence and culture? In communist Romania people that graduated university or college were repartitioned to a job matching their studies. Only the luckiest got a repartition in a large city. Others were summoned for life in hamlets, as you could not promote or change your repartition unless joining the Party. That's the case with the leading character (Maia Morgenstern) that graduated Psichology in Paris, and was repartitioned in Copsa Mica, the most polluted city in Romania.
The caravan of insults starts with the train journey to her new work place. She is forced to switch trains in the night, take her clothes off in the presence of strangers, and ride 400 km standing in an overcrowded train. As she reaches Copsa Mica some people try to rape her, police torture and threaten her, and so on.
To certify the adage that special people congregate the Psichology graduate meets a funky doctor, that manages to elude the system by being some kind of a joker. Then the rejoicing begins as these 2 people get to know each other.
When they decide under the oak tree to give birth to a child she says: "I pray he won't be normal" and he responds "If he'll be normal I'll kill him with my own hands." For these two people being "normal" meant the supreme course. Everybody around was dull, normal and communist. Enjoy!