California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) (2007)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Cristian Nemescu

Writers:

Catherine Linstrum (writer)
Cristian Nemescu (writer)

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | War

Plot:

A railway chief delays a NATO train transporting military equipment during the war in Kosovo in 1999. |

Plot Keywords:

Train | Kosovo | Yugoslav | Kosovo War | American Dream

Awards:

9 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Cpt. Doug Jones
Jamie Elman	...	Sg. David McLaren
Razvan Vasilescu	...	Doiaru
Maria Dinulescu	...	Monica
Alexandru Margineanu	...	Andrei (as Alex Margineanu)
Ion Sapdaru	...	The Mayor
Alexandru Dragoi	...	Rodriguez
Andi Vasluianu	...	Soldier Marian (as Andrei Vasluianu)
Sabina Branduse	...	Despina
Gabriel Spahiu	...	Trade Union Chief
Radu Gabriel	...	Stelica
Constantin Dita	...	Paul
Eduard Dumitru	...	Mitroi
Alexandru Georgescu	...	Corporal Tanase
Cristi Olesher	...	Young Doiaru

Also Known As:

California Dreamin' (USA) (new title)
California Dreamin' (Endless) (UK)
California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) (Europe: English title) (festival title)
Nesfarsit (Romania)

Runtime:

155 min

Country:

Romania

Language:

English | Romanian | Spanish | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Media Pro Pictures

Soundtrack:

La Javanaise

The story of Romanians and their hopes

I think this movie expresses very well the mixture of feeling the Romanians always had for Americans: "hatred" because they didn't save us in the WW2 (topic presented in the movie as a "remember", for which full understanding i recommend that previously you read a bit of WW2 history), "fascination" - from the Romanian girls, because American soldiers are considered handsome, and as being a way for escape from a possibly unhappy life, "business interest" - from officials, because they could invest money and help the local communities to develop. Different people with different expectations from the same Americans. All these aspects are presented wonderfully by Nemescu, telling our story as Romanians, to the entire world. To understand this "story", you have to be interested in it, otherwise...you might not understand the movie.