Cigarettes and Coffee (2004)

Two characters discuss business in a restaurant.

Director:

Cristi Puiu

Writer:

Cristi Puiu

Stars:

Mimi Branescu, Mihai Bratila, Victor Rebengiuc

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mimi Branescu	...	Fiul
Mihai Bratila	...	Chelnerul
Victor Rebengiuc	...	Tatal

Storyline

Two characters discuss business in a restaurant.

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Plot Keywords:

romanian new wave | 

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Genres:

Short

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User Reviews

From now ago...

There's no need to look beyond this in order to become aware of a very common problem with which the elder generations are confronted: the issue of knowing little and being offered even less. Mainly due to the regime, I suppose, the mediocre majority of the population didn't acquire a lot of practical education, they weren't fed with the "know-how" for dealing with life in extreme conditions. Moreover, being a reasonably poor country, the Romanian government can't really offer the necessary money for a lot of people - even working ones, needless to mention those who have fulfilled their duties to society. So, nowadays, compromise is the only real solution - as this short adequately emphasizes.

The more impressive aspect, in my humble opinion, is the rift between father and son, one as docile as the regime made him, the other as though as you have to be today. It is obvious that the son is merely taking care of an obligation towards his parent, that it's all a pain in the dorsal side for him. It's the two different ends of the specter colliding with one another in a very grim and disturbingly abnormal situation. Both actors, Rebengiuc and Branescu encompass their characters in very convincing and natural performances. The script definitely helps a great deal in creating a very plausible set of circumstances, characters and attitudes. It's near perfect, in this regard.

Nevertheless, I think I've never seen a short to impress me enough as to mark it in my "book of unforgettables". It's hard for anything to leave a mark in just a few minutes and maybe this came close, but not close enough. Great catch however, 12 minutes wisely spent.

Details

Country:

Romania

Language:

Romanian

Release Date:

7 February 2004 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Cigarettes and Coffee

Filming Locations:

Romania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Temple Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

15 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1