California Dreamin' (2007)
"California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit)" (original title)

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

Director:

Cristian Nemescu

Writers:

Catherine Linstrum (additional dialogue), Cristian Nemescu,

Stars:

Armand Assante, Jamie Elman, Razvan Vasilescu

10 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Armand Assante	...	Captain Doug Jones - the American military officer in command
Jamie Elman	...	Sergeant David McLaren - the second in command, attracted to Monica
Razvan Vasilescu	...	Doiaru - the station master
Maria Dinulescu	...	Monica - the station master's daughter, who dreams of a better life
Alexandru Margineanu	...	Andrei - a villager in love with Monica (as Alex Margineanu)
Ion Sapdaru	...	The Mayor
Alexandru Dragoi	...	Rodriguez
Andi Vasluianu	...	Soldier Marian (as Andrei Vasluianu)
Sabina Branduse	...	Despina
Gabriel Spahiu	...	The trade union chief , Andrei's father
Radu Gabriel	...	Stelica
Constantin Dita	...	Paul - the mayor's son, a womanizer
Eduard Dumitru	...	Mitroi
Alexandru Georgescu	...	Corporal Tanase
Cristi Olesher	...	Young Doiaru

Storyline

In 1999, during the Kosovo War,a train carrying NATO equipment, escorted by American Marines with Captain Doug Jones in command, is held back in Capalnita, a Romanian godforsaken village, by Doiaru, the station master, who blocks the train over a paperwork technicality. For five days the villagers try to take advantage of the Americans' unexpected presence. The mayor, for instance, organizes a celebration in their honor. On the other hand, sergeant David McLaren, Jones's second in command, falls in love with Monica, the crafty's station master's daughter, who dreams of a better world... And what about the Marines' initial mission?

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Plot Keywords:

train | kosovo | yugoslav | kosovo war | american dream | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Bodega Films [fr] Mozinet [hu]

Country:

Romania

Language:

English Romanian Spanish Italian

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

California Dreamin'

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$1,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Media Pro Pictures, Media Pro, Romanian National Center for Cinematography

Technical Specs

Runtime:

155 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

French visa # 119156.

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Goofs

Through the entire movie, Captain Jones wears the insignia of a Staff Sergeant on his collar and Sergeant McLaren wears the insignia of a Private First Class on his collar.

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Soundtracks

"Inel, Inel de aur"
Performed & Written by Ilie Iorga feat. Taraful Sile Zaharia

User Reviews

Kusturica reborn !

This movie is definitely in my Top-5 of 2007, along with "The life of Others".

It's just amazing to see how creative artists from Romania and the Balkans can be. The humor and general spirit of this movie reminds me a lot of Emir Kusturica's talent.

Too sad the director died a year ago in a car crash, 28 year old only.

Obviously, the best flicks don't come from Hollywood lately. Wanna know why ? It's because foreign movies are not ruled by profit-only oriented producers.

It's about "Art" first. Remember ?... Cinema is an art form, not just your regular supermarket product! That's why capitalism is (most often) incompatible with good movies.

With this movie, you'll get another proof confirming this theory.