Beyond the Hills (2012)

The friendship between two young women who grew up in the same orphanage; one has found refuge at a convent in Romania and refuses to leave with her friend, who now lives in Germany.

Director:

Cristian Mungiu

Writers:

Cristian Mungiu (screenplay), Tatiana Niculescu-Bran (inspired by non-fiction novels of)

Stars:

Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuta

7 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cosmina Stratan	...	Voichita
Cristina Flutur	...	Alina Ringhis
Valeriu Andriuta	...	Priest (as Valeriu Andriutã)
Dana Tapalaga	...	Mother superior
Catalina Harabagiu	...	Antonia
Gina Tandura	...	nun Iustina
Vica Agache	...	nun Elisabeta
Nora Covali	...	Nun Pahomia
Dionisie Vitcu	...	Mr. Valerica
Ionut Ghinea	...	Ionut
Liliana Mocanu	...	mother Elena
Doru Ana	...	Father Nusu
Costache Babii	...	Doctor Solovastru
Luminita Gheorghiu	...	Schoolteacher
Alina Berzunteanu	...	doctor Radu

Storyline

Alina and Voichita have been friends since their orphanage days. And they have been lovers since they became sexually mature. But despite their oath of mutual fidelity, Alina, who could not bear poverty any more, emigrated to Germany where she became a barmaid. Now she just could not take the estrangement from Voichita and today she is back to Romania with a view to taking Voichita along with her to Germany. The only trouble is that in the meantime her girlfriend has betrayed her in falling in love with... God! Voichita indeed now lives in a convent where she plans to make vows. The priest agrees, if somewhat reluctantly, to accommodate Alina before their (hypothetical) departure. He sees all too well that not only is the young woman materialistic but hostile and troublesome as well...

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Plot Keywords:

monastery | convent | romania | romanian new wave | female protagonist | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Made the shortlist (9 films) for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 85th Academy Awards in 2013.

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Quotes

Priest: The man who leaves and the man who comes back are not the same.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Episode #10.25 (2013)

User Reviews

Am I the only disappointed?

Well,I wanted desperately, not to like, to love this movie... All the premises were there, I couldn't wait for the film to be released... But, as the film was developing in front of my eyes, I was completely feeling less...No attachment to the girls, I didn't even care for one damn second about any of them, the film scratches everything that is supposed to carve upon, the director seems in a hurry to reach something that slips between his fingers...I felt no compassion for that girl, in some moments I was about to scream to her, get out of that place, girl, return to Germany, live your life and put ourselves out of the misery of watching this movie!And one more thing. The performances of both girls, cumulated, multiplied by 100, they never, ever, never ever, are any close to the magnificent performance of Emanuelle Riva in Amour... So , Nanni Moretti, I don't really know what came to your mind when you gave that award to these two, frustrating the beautiful Riva of that super-deserved award

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Romania France Belgium

Language:

Romanian

Release Date:

26 October 2012 (Romania)

Also Known As:

Beyond the Hills

Filming Locations:

Campina, Romania

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,622, 10 March 2013

Gross USA:

$124,919

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$673,493

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mobra Films, Why Not Productions, Les Films du Fleuve

Technical Specs

Runtime:

152 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1