Constantin si Elena (2009) User Reviews

Touching family portrait of ageing lovebirds

[andreiz2k · 10/10 · 8 February 2010]

The author follows with his quiescent camera his grandparents over a year. Whatever was judged film-worthy is shown to us, in a beautifully woven montage, much like Elena's colorful tapestries.

The way this perennially happy couple interacts is peacefully engaging. We get to listen to their church songs, watch them perform their daily chores, talk about the lies on TV and enjoy a can of pop for the first time.

Though intimate and revealing, we get the feeling that some important events were left out. I found out in the Q&A at the end of the North American premiere that the death of their youngest son took place while the film was being shot. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why death features prominently in their conversation.

A Romanian poet has said that "Eternity was born in the Village". Time certainly passes more slowly in that part of the world, but it's still too fast when the movie is over.

Watch the full documentary online!

[film-148-690757 · 10/10 · 2 March 2015]

Not sure if I'm not breaking any IMDb guidelines here (please excuse me if I do), but I just wanted to direct all of you good people who ended up on Constantin and Elena's IMDb page to a full official upload of this film, with multiple subtitles, on YouTube. Just search for "Constantin and Elena full documentary" or go here: http://youtu.be/R6pd5aVMLzs

You can choose English, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Romanian subtitles while watching the film.

The film was chosen as one of the "The top 10 films of 2009 you probably won't have seen" by The Guardian, it screened in over 50 festivals and was broadcast on TV in some 15 countries.

Enjoy!

Enjoying what I have

[zvezdazaspanka · 9/10 · 9 April 2010]

I must say after reading the introductions to the documentary I was expecting a movie that will test my patience, but I was pleasantly surprised. I guess it would be the same if I'd seen the 9-hour long version... So I think the movie was very efficient in showing how your life can be full even if the biggest thing that happens in your day is a can of Pepsi cola. It defies the oh-so-common feeling that you've been robbed of a bigger happiness or that you settled for less that you could achieve, if you're satisfied with the little things you have.

I didn't see the ending in a much positive way, though - of course it shows that there will be successors to Constantin and Elena's lives, as the children visit and it's now their turn to ''tell stories'', but on the other hand it also signifies their demise; I saw the scene with Elena explaining the flowers on the carpet as a sign of the knowledge that will now be lost. The daughter doesn't remember anymore, and therefore a part of Elena will slowly be lost - what use are those 52 carpets, if no one can remember the names of the flowers on them anymore? Surely, old things have to be replaced with new ones. But I couldn't help but to ask myself - will Constantin and Elena's children and grandchildren ever be to love and love life the way they do? Or does it come with old age - and wisdom? I guess I could say the ending is bittersweet. And I'm an optimist!