Aferim! (2015)

Set in early 19th century Romania, a policeman, Costandin, is hired by a nobleman to find a Gypsy slave who has run away from his estate after having an affair with his wife.

Director:

Radu Jude

Writers:

Radu Jude (screenplay), Florin Lazarescu

Stars:

Teodor Corban, Mihai Comanoiu, Toma Cuzin

23 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Teodor Corban	...	Costandin
Mihai Comanoiu	...	Ionita
Toma Cuzin	...	Carfin Pandolean
Alexandru Dabija	...	Boyar Iordache Cîndescu
Luminita Gheorghiu	...	Smaranda Cîndescu
Victor Rebengiuc	...	Stan Paraschiv
Alberto Dinache	...	Tintiric
Alexandru Bindea	...	Priest on the road
Mihaela Sirbu	...	Sultana
Adina Cristescu	...	Zambila
Serban Pavlu	...	Traveler at the Inn
Gabriel Spahiu	...	Vasile
Dan Nicolaescu	...	Merchant
Liviu Ornea	...	Abbot
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mihaela Drãgan	...	Carfin's Wife

Storyline

Set in early 19th century Wallachia, when a local policeman, Costandin, is hired by Iordache, a boyar (local noble), to find Carfin, a Gypsy slave who had run away from the boyar's estate after having an affair with his wife, Sultana. Costandin sets out to find the fugitive, beginning a journey full of adventures. Gypsy slavery lasted from the 14th century up until the middle of the 19th century, a situation which is very little known and almost nonexistent in the public debate today, although its impact continues to influence Romania's social life.

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Plot Keywords:

slavery | gypsy | racism | husband wife relationship | year 1835 | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | History | Western

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Did You Know?

Trivia

19th-century Wallachia was heavily influenced by the Ottoman Empire, and the word "aferim" is Turkish for "bravo". Director Radu Jude said in the N.Y. Times (Sept. 8, 2015) that the word appears often in historical documents and therefore came to be part of the story, adding a touch of irony: "The characters in the film say 'Aferim!' to each other as they feel they are doing the right thing," he said. "It is very symbolic, this aspect."

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Goofs

When she talks with Constandin, Smaranda calls him Carfin once.

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Quotes

Costandin: Woman shall be less castigated than men, as they are dimmer of wit and weaker before sin...

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Connections

References Morometii (1987)

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Soundtracks

Bat-o sfantu' de lupoaie
Composed by Antonie Pantoleon-Petroveanu
Performed by Trei Parale: Florin Iordan (cobza, whistles, flute), Daniel Pop (whistle), Mihai Balabas (violin), Beatrice Iordan (cobza), Dinu Petrescu (drum) (as Dinu Traian Petrescu)
Recording, mixing and mastering by Constantin Grajdian

User Reviews

excellent, a continuation of the new generation of Romanian directors

Indeed, you have to know the 19th century background of Romania, however it portraits it in a very good manner: the atmosphere of the epoch and the subject is dealt with in depth! It seems that we already saw this movie (or its subject)with other slaves (mostly black people in other countries endorsing slavery)however this one is a special case.All actors are excellent and the black and white colors intensify the dramatic aspects (wonderful forest takes!). I am lucky to know modern Romanian, because the dialog is very important, revealing the behavior, tradition and prejudices of the time (that in some areas of the country are still there...)far away from so called "politically correctness" endorsed in the western culture!(watch the priest opinion about different nations, especially the Jews!). In relation to dialogue, the last sentences of the father to his shocked son are an excellent example of how most of the people behave in face of horrors and injustice!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

Romania Bulgaria Czech Republic France

Language:

Romanian Turkish Romany

Release Date:

6 March 2015 (Romania)

Also Known As:

Bravo!

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,892, 24 January 2016

Gross USA:

$108,110

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$350,110

Company Credits

Production Co:

HI Film Productions, Klas Film, Endorfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1