4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

A woman assists her friend in arranging an illegal abortion in 1980s Romania.

Director:

Cristian Mungiu

Writer:

Cristian Mungiu

Stars:

Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 42 wins & 59 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anamaria Marinca	...	Otilia Mihartescu
Laura Vasiliu	...	Gabita Dragut
Vlad Ivanov	...	Viorel Bebe
Alexandru Potocean	...	Adi Radu (as Alex Potocean)
Luminita Gheorghiu	...	Gina Radu
Adi Carauleanu	...	Dr. Radu
Liliana Mocanu	...	Unireal Hotel Receptionist
Tania Popa	...	Night Receptionist
Teodor Corban	...	Unireal Hotel Receptionist (as Teo Corban)
Cerasela Iosifescu	...	Tineretului Hotel Receptionist
Doru Ana	...	Benzanirul
Eugenia Bosânceanu	...	Viorel Bebe's Mother
Ion Sapdaru	...	Dr. Rusu (as Ioan Sapdaru)
Cristina Burbuz	...	Marie-Jeanne Rusu (as Cristina Buburuz)
Marioara Sterian	...	Adela Racoviceanu

Storyline

Romania, 1987, the brutal Ceausescu communist regime is in place; birth control is illegal and abortion is a crime punishable by death. Gabita (Laura Vasliu) is almost five months into an unwanted pregnancy and in meek desperation turns to her friend and roommate, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) for help in organizing an illegal termination. Unfortunate circumstances force the two women to use an unwanted male abortionist, Bebe (Vlad Ivanov). The bleakness of the storyline expresses a dark socio-political critique in the twilight years of a repressive dictatorship.

---

Plot Keywords:

abortion | communist | romania | illegal abortion | female nudity | 

---

Taglines:

How far would you go for a friend?

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The controversial subject of abortion is not brought up until 30 minutes into the film's runtime.

---

Goofs

Adrian Daminescu's "Si m-am indragostit de tine" can be heard playing downstairs when Otilia is outside of the hotel room, checking on Gabita. The song is in the same place when she suddenly appears downstairs to talk to the hotel matron.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
[subtitled version]
Otilia: OK.
Gabriela 'Gabita' Dragut: Thanks.

---

Connections

References The Thorn Birds (1983)

---

Soundtracks

Gheorghe, Gheorghe
Music and lyrics by Marian Nistor
Performed by Angela Similea & Savoy

User Reviews

Amazing & intelligent film

I was fortunate to see this film during the TIFF last week. With Palm d'Or behind the title, my expectation was high and I was amazingly satisfied.

As an audience in TIFF, we also got to have a Q&A session with Cristian, the director and it was apparent to me that he is a very intelligent man. Everything that was in the movie was well thought and planned. There is no accidents about this movie.

There are quite a few unclear scenes. However after, the director answered a few questions for the audience and I got to understand his point of view. It was clear to me what he was trying to show us. There is no wasted scenes or filler during the whole show.

There is a particular scene where many don't understand why it is so long and meaningless. Many viewers got frustrated, irritated and restless after a while. But that is exactly what the director wants us to feel. He plays with his audience through his film. What a brilliant idea ! For those who has seen it, will understand. Your feeling is exactly what Otilia was feelings.

This is not an anti-abortion movie as the director said. There is no political statement. It is just a daily life of a few Romanians during the period and you can feel it through this movie.

For all other foreign film fan, this is an absolute must see for this year.

Details

Country:

Romania Belgium

Language:

Romanian

Release Date:

14 September 2007 (Romania)

Also Known As:

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

EUR590,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$51,712, 27 January 2008

Gross USA:

$1,198,208

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,174,839

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mobra Films, Centrul National al Cinematografiei (CNC), Mindshare Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1