The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

Mr. Lãzãrescu, a dying old man, is shuttled from hospital to hospital by a loyal paramedic as doctors refuse to operate and no one can agree on a diagnosis.

Director:

Cristi Puiu

Writers:

Cristi Puiu, Razvan Radulescu

Stars:

Doru Ana, Monica Barladeanu, Alina Berzunteanu

30 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Doru Ana	...	Sandu Sterian
Monica Barladeanu	...	Mariana
Alina Berzunteanu	...	Dr. Zamfir
Dorian Boguta	...	Ambulantier (as Doru Boguta)
Mimi Branescu	...	Dr. Mirica
Mihai Bratila	...	Dr. Breslasu
Dragos Bucur	...	Misu
Robert Bumbes	...	Robert
Dan Chiriac	...	Medic triaj Spitalui Universitar
Mirela Cioaba	...	Marioara
Laura Cret	...	Medic ecograf, Spitalui Sf. Spiridon
Dana Dogaru	...	Mihaela Sterian
Bogdan Dumitrache	...	Medic, Spitalui Sf. Spiridon
Alexandru Fifea	...	Brancardier, Spitalui Sf. Spiridon
Ion Fiscuteanu	...	Mr. Lazarescu (Domnui Lazarescu) (as Ioan Fiscuteanu)

Storyline

Mr. Lazarescu, a 63 year old lonely man feels sick and calls the ambulance. When it arrives, the paramedic decides he should take him to the hospital but once there they decide to send him to another hospital and then yet another... As the night unfolds and they can't find a hospital for Mr. Lazarescu, his health starts to deteriorate fast.

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Plot Keywords:

illness | black comedy | bucharest romania | hospital | sick | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Cousins wrote about The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005): "This long night's journey into day is one of the highlights of 21st century realist cinema. It's compassion and detail link it back to movies like Bicycle Thieves (1948), and its dramatic arc makes it feel like an Edward Albee play." [Romanian Film Season in Edinburgh, 2015]

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Quotes

Marioara: I'm ready Virgil, come get him and take him to Anghel!

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Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: Cinema Today and the Future (2011)

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Soundtracks

Chemarea marii
("Si-n apa marii")
Performed by Margareta Pîslaru
Music by George Grigoriu
Lyrics by Mircea Block

User Reviews

It's amazing to see this movie rated as comedy

It's amazing to see this movie rated as comedy, and reading other people's comments I see the reasons it's so well rated differently. This movie it's a hard to swallow. Not comedy, maybe drama, supra-realistic. It's incredible for most of the people in most civilized countries that what you see there is what happens as a routine in Romania. No wonder Romania's minister of health didn't want to be present at the premiere in Bucharest. This movie is a very realistic reflection of what old or seek people get in Bucharest after paying their medical assurances for a lifetime. Of course it's a movie and there are also side aspects; but seeing the action.. it was nothing new for me. I've been through it with someone very dear to me, and i know what's happening in those hospitals.

Details

Country:

Romania

Language:

Romanian

Release Date:

22 September 2005 (Romania)

Also Known As:

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,880, 30 April 2006

Gross USA:

$80,301

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$216,922

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandragora

Technical Specs

Runtime:

153 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1