California Dreamin' (2007)

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

14 wins & 13 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
Gabriel Radu	...	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:

nato bombing of yugoslavia | radar | german supporter | crush on an american soldier | us army | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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

Achy Breaky Heart
Performed by Billy Ray Cyrus
Written by Don Von Tress

User Reviews

Great movie but a stereotypical approach of the Balkans

In artistic terms the movie is great. The story is superb, the acting is excellent too. Nevertheless there is an issue that should be taken into account when a director decides to make a movie with an eastern European setting. Films like the ones directed by Emir Kusturica or Nae Caranfil and now by Nemescu reveal and insist on revealing only one side of the Balkans. This facet is often exaggerated for artistic purposes and while it identifies the Balkans in certain aspects, it can also be very hazardous on the longer term. The Romanian, Serbian or Bulgarian societies are certainly more complex than the instances and the characters depicted in "White cat, black cat", "Philantropica" or "California Dreamin'". This picturesque facet constantly addressed by film makers represents a reality of the region but should not be generalized. This is the hazard of making such movies. Westerners and Americans, not very accustomed to the history and the society of the Eastern Europe might reduce them to this narrow view: gypsies, easy and shallow girls, the general poverty and corruption and a scene populated by low-lifes and scums. Everyone seeing this film should enjoy it for what it is, but should also keep in mind that, although true at a certain level, Romania means more than that.

Details

Official Sites:

Bodega Films [France] Mozinet [Hungary]

Country:

Romania

Language:

English Romanian Spanish Italian

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

California Dreamin'

Filming Locations:

MediaPro Studios, Bucharest, Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$1,600,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$377,275

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