Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - După dealuri (Beyond the Hills) by Cristian Mungiu

I fell in love with Romanian cinema thanks to Cristian Mungiu that with his truly outstanding film 4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) gave me reason to explore the Romanian cinema new wave and I plunged so deep that even went to learn the language.

For me Mungiu's style in 4 months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is highly emotional, a film that explodes your emotions in a roller-coaster way, a very intense emotional experience while straight-forward telling a simple yet very disturbing story. That's exactly what I imagine will get from his third feature-length movie especially because is another women story inspired by true events.

With my wild imagination I'm hoping that film could have "some" lesbian interest as synopsis below plus some of the images gave me the hope; still, the lesbian interest is absolutely non-essential for me to be highly excited about this film.

Alina returns to Romania from Germany, hoping to bring Voichita - the only person in the world she loves and was loved by - back to her. But Voichita has found God - and God is the hardest lover of all to be jealous of.

I relate Mungiu's work mainly with intense emotions but Beyond the Hills stills give the impression that this time Mungiu will also deliver breathtaking visuals as the ones that follow.



In the end my expectations rotate around intense emotions with fabulous visuals in a simple story told in Mungiu's very particular style which I imagine had to evolve in his third oeuvre. Obviously this is a must be seen for me.

Cristian Mungiu in Cannes

Mungiu's relationship with Cannes starts in 2002 when his debut film Occident is screened in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs; then five years later, in 2007, he returns with outstanding 4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) in competition which went to win the Palme d'Or. Two years later, in 2009, Amintiri din epoca de aur (Tales from the Golden Age), a shorts collection written by Mungiu and directed by him plus other directors, is screened at Un Certain Regard section.

I don't doubt that Mungiu could get a second Palme but I'm dubious if is going to be this year. Nevertheless he has a strong relationship with the festival that has screened ALL his feature-length films plus some of his shorts and most of all already is a Cannes Palme d'Or winner, so he has to be a strong contender that could get significant recognition.

Film Specs
Directed by Cristian Mungiu
Written by Cristian Mungiu (Inspired by the non-fiction novels of Tatianei Niculescu Bran)
Starring: Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuţă, Dana Tapalagă
Language: Romanian
Nationality: Majority Romanian (Romania, France, Belgium)
Runtime: 2h 35m
Production year: 2011-2012
North America rights: Sundance Selects

End Notes
După dealuri at Cannes site go here. There are three clips!!!
Mungiu in Cannes go here.
Mobra films go here.
Le Pacte go here.
Why Not Productions go here.
Wild Bunch International go here.
Film New Europe go here.
Unifrance go here.