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' (USA) (new title)
California Dreamin' (Endless) (UK)
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:

La Javanaise

Cristian Nemescu's California Dreamin' (Unfinished) is furiously funny, outrageously cruel, infinitely critical of Romanians.

"California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit)" is one of the finest movies Romanian cinema has ever produced. While the unfortunate death of young director Cristian Nemescu left the film unfinished, the movie has been put together according to Mr. Nemescu's plans.

There are many layers of discourse in this movie that develop as main lines of the narrative - on one hand, there is a sad, cynical, and auto-meditative look at the Romanian society in its purest, unaltered form; on the other hand, the movie speaks of the obsession of a generation of Romanians, that have been waiting for the Americans to liberate them ever since the Second World War; when those two lines meet, incredible things happen; and last, but not least, it shows the personal development of a few characters that are very relevant for Romanians today.

Being a Romanian, I don't usually like Romanian films - many of them are irrelevant, are exorcising demons that have no relevance for us today (like "12:08 Bucharest"); but Cristian Nemescu's California Dreamin' (Unfinished) is furiously funny, outrageously cruel, infinitely critical of Romania and Romanians, and it manages that by simply showing the facts, and not making one personal interpretation.

A brilliant movie done by a great movie maker. May we all remember Cristi forever.